Mets' Max Scherzer: Pitch clock could cause 'injury bug' across MLB

New York Mets co-ace Max Scherzer has become the latest noteworthy person to warn that the polarizing pitch clock could result in pitchers across MLB suffering injuries this season. 

"Be ready for this," Scherzer told The Athletic's Will Sammon, Brittany Ghiroli and Eno Sarris for a piece published Tuesday. "It’s going to knock people out. Personally, I have to look at this as, 'What’s the worst-case scenario? Yeah, pitchers start dropping. The injury bug is going to be coming across the league.' Get in shape. Don’t let it be you."

Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo noted during spring training that batters and players traveling the bases could experience an increased risk of injury due to the clock, and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Rich Hill campaigned around that same time for MLB to "put another five seconds on the clock" to help both pitchers and offensive players. 

For an ESPN article published Tuesday morning, San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell made it clear he's not a fan of any of the new rules MLB embraced ahead of the 2023 season. 

Interestingly, Scherzer confidently declared in February he was "going to be just fine" dealing with the clock. The 38-year-old changed his tune when he admitted last month to "struggling" with the timer before he had a start pushed back due to soreness in his back and side. 

"There is a time component now," Scherzer told The Athletic. "...There’s a level of concern with pitchers' health, that the pace may be too much for pitchers." 

Fellow Mets co-ace Justin Verlander landed on the injured list back on Opening Day with a low-grade teres major strain (strained shoulder) but should make his debut with the club this Thursday, weather permitting. Carlos Carrasco, who had difficulty adjusting to the clock last month, is also on the IL due to inflammation in his throwing elbow caused by a bone spur.

"This April tied for the highest number of pitchers on the IL since at least 2000, and the greatest number of starting pitchers over that period," The Athletic pointed out while adding that "there is no direct statistical evidence that the pitch timer has led" to an increase in injuries among MLB pitchers after just one month. 

"Athletes adapt, but that’s not the question," a National League pitching coach told The Athletic. "It’s a matter of, at what cost? Hopefully, there isn’t much of one. Right now, there doesn’t seem that there is one. Hopefully, it stays that way. But we’re not entirely sure yet. We’re still digging into this as we go." 

The theory that older pitchers will be rattled by the increased pace of play more so than younger starters and relievers will continue to be tested through the summer months, as it's assumed MLB is happy that the average time for games has noticeably decreased under the new rules.