A few weeks after Justin Verlander talked about how MLB pitchers are hit by a pandemic of injuries due to the changing throwing style, the Milwaukee Brewers suffered one as Wade Miley is confirmed out for the season.
The veteran pitcher, 37, was initially put on the injured list on April 22, retroactive to April 19.
More assessments were made, and it is now confirmed that he will need to undergo a season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Miley has undergone shoulder injuries before and thought this latest one was not as painful as before.
"I need a full Tommy John," Miley said ahead of the start of their three-game series with the New York Yankees.
"I knew it was a different pain than what I've been dealt with the last couple of years. It doesn't really hurt that bad. That's the weird part. I would just think UCL damage would be more painful."
Miley came into the season with higher expectations than in previous seasons after hitting a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts last season.
This season, he posted a 0-1 record with a 6.43 ERA, allowing six runs and five earned.
Injury plague hits Brewers
Manager Pat Murphy has been dealing with injuries to several Brewers since the start of the season.
They are already without JB Bukauskas, Taylor Clarke, DL Hall, and Jakob Junis, who are all on the injured list.
They could return by the second half of the season.
The team is also without two-time All-Star right-hander Brandon Woodruff, who will not play until 2025 after shoulder surgery in the offseason.
The Brewers' bullpen is getting thinner. Freddy Peralta, Colin Rea, and Joe Ross remain healthy, and Bryse Wilson and Tobias Myers remain in the rotation.
Over at the minors, Aaron Ashby, Janson Junk, Robert Gasser, Evan McKendry, and Chad Patrick must all keep themselves ready for a call-up after this major development.
Injury plague on MLB pitchers
Miami Marlins' Jesús Luzardo was put on the injured list on the same day as Miley.
The 26-year-old pitcher was put on IL after a left elbow tightness.
Luzardo's injury is not as severe as Miley's, as he only expects to be out for at least two starts.
Almost every team has an injury to a pitcher, but this season has been different.
Verlander, who has yet to play in the majors for the Texas Rangers this season, believes there is a pandemic among pitchers.
"I think the biggest thing is that the style of pitching has changed so much," he said in an interview with Ari Alexander of KPRC2.
"Everyone is throwing the ball as hard as they possibly can and spinning the ball as hard as they possibly can.
"It's a double-edged sword. How can you tell somebody to not do that when they're capable of throwing 100 mph? Something needs to change."
Other high-profile pitchers not pitching this season are Shohei Ohtani, Gerrit Cole, Spencer Strider, and Robert Stephenson.
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