09/18/25 03:30:00
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09/18 15:29 CDT MLB places restrictions on offseason evaluations in attempt to
slow injury rate among prospects
MLB places restrictions on offseason evaluations in attempt to slow injury rate
among prospects
By The Associated Press
Major League Baseball is instituting moratorium periods on when teams can
evaluate U.S.-based amateur draft prospects in an attempt to slow injuries
among young players.
According to a memo MLB sent general managers, assistant general managers and
scouting directors Thursday, teams won't be able to scout or evaluate those
high school players from Oct. 15 to Jan. 15. They won't be able to scout or
evaluate covered college players from Nov. 15 to Jan. 15.
ESPN first reported the details of the memo.
This moratorium applies to domestic players with remaining eligibility for the
annual amateur draft each July. Activities prohibited by this policy include
games, showcases, tournaments, batting practice, bullpen sessions,
infield/outfield drills, workouts and any other activities related to throwing,
hitting, catching or fielding.
During those dates, clubs are prohibited from attending those types of events
in person or remotely. Team personnel aren't permitted to provide lessons,
training or other forms of instruction to players covered by the moratorium.
Teams also are prohibited from obtaining, buying or collecting data and video
including baseball activities for covered players, either directly or through a
third party.
Teams still will be allowed to interact with covered prospects during the
moratorium as long as no baseball activities take place.
Club-affiliated individuals still can attend events with baseball activities as
long as they don't share any data with clubs and are acting solely in a
non-professional category. This exception would enable the parent or relative
of a covered player to watch that prospect's activities.
"The long-term increase in pitcher injuries at the amateur level is a serious
concern for the game," MLB senior vice president for amateur and medical John
D'Angelo wrote in the memo. "By creating downtime in an over-committed training
calendar, this Policy is intended to alleviate the pressure on young players to
forego rest and recovery, curb overuse, and keep players healthier as they
strive for a future in professional baseball."
MLB is responding to a 62-page report it released in December detailing
potential reasons for the rapid increase in pitching injuries. According to the
yearlong study based on interviews with more than 200 people, rising
velocities, pitch shaping and emphasis on maximum effort were likely causes.
"The report identified the year-round culture of amateur baseball -- and the
pressure to forego rest and recovery in order to constantly showcase for scouts
and colleges -- as contributing to the increase in amateur pitcher injuries,"
MLB said in the memo.
MLB said the moratoriums were recommended by various baseball medical and
performance groups, including the MLB Team Physicians Association. MLB said
surveys with scouting directors from all 30 clubs as well as medical experts
revealed broad support for restricting offseason scouting activity.
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AP Baseball Writers Ronald Blum and Jay Cohen contributed to this report.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
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