Easy does it: MLB pitchers prepare for usual 162-game grind

PHOENIX (AP) — The sport of baseball, much like the rest of the world, is craving normalcy after a full year of disruptions caused by the pandemic.

So the familiar feel of February spring training has pitchers eager to unleash fastballs, spin a few breaking balls and get ready for the 162-game long haul.

But the message from coaches and executives is clear: No need to rush.

“Spring training is 50 days long,” Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “To put that in perspective, our season last year was 66 days long. So we have time.”

As of Thursday, almost all 30 teams had started workouts for pitchers and catchers. Now organizations are working on how to manage their pitchers' workloads after most threw less than half of their usual innings in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Pitch counts or innings limits are hardly new concepts. Organizations do everything in their power to protect their pitchers, especially elite prospects. The bump in workload from 60 games to 162 just provides another variable to consider.

Teams are evaluating all kinds of strategies — including six-man starting rotations in some cases — to make sure they don't overtax arms.

The Washington Nationals are fortunate to have four veterans at the top of their rotation: Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, 2019 World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin and free-agent addition Jon Lester.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said those pitchers know how to listen to their bodies and prepare. But young pitchers — many of whom didn't throw many innings last season — will have to be watched closely.

“We’re going to have to take that into consideration,” Rizzo said. “The depth in your organization is really going to come to the forefront, maybe more than ever before...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Easy-does-it-MLB-pitchers-prepare-for-usual-15961167.php