Dodgers' Glasnow: Throwing hard worth injury risk
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow believes prioritizing velocity as a pitcher has been worth the associated injury risk.
"I think the decision of throwing hard and getting hurt is going to win every single time," Glasnow told Jomboy Media's "The Chris Rose Rotation" podcast. "And the only negative side is you can't contribute to your team and then you're out for a year. Everyone is going to take throw hard, get hurt, make money. ... It's just logically the choice everyone's going to make."
Glasnow has averaged 96.3 mph with his fastball over his career. The 30-year-old has battled injuries throughout his MLB tenure, reaching the 100-inning threshold twice in nine seasons. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021, limiting him to just two appearances in 2022.
"Because of the times I didn't go after velocity, I didn't go after all that stuff, I had a 7.7 ERA," Glasnow said. "I've never been Greg Maddux. I've never been able to dot in my life. I've always struggled with command until relatively recently."
The Dodgers acquired Glasnow in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in the offseason and promptly signed him to a five-year, $136.5-million contract extension.
Glasnow is off to a terrific start with the Dodgers, posting a 3-0 record with a 2.25 ERA and 10.88 K/9 in four starts.