Pitchers Use Offseason to Rebuild Arm Strength

Big league pitchers understand that their arm must be treated with care. Throwing enough heaters after a number of years can put some serious pressure on the shoulder and the elbow.

However, it can be much more difficult for a young pitcher to understand how to take care of their arm. In the offseason, a gradual process of muscle strengthening should take place. It is important to ice the arm following every outing. Coaches would be wise to use sports team websites to break down the best practices of a responsible pitcher.

Red Sox starter working on delivery

Without a clear-cut ace, the Boston Red Sox are depending on their collection of starting pitchers to do just enough for the offense, which is projected to be elite. Pitchers Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Joe Kelly all have plenty of talent and question marks heading into the new season. But perhaps the most unpredictable starter for the team is Justin Masterson.

Masterson reached an All-Star caliber a few years ago, but he has also struggled mightily with ineffectiveness and injuries. The Red Sox signed the 27-year-old right hander to a one-year deal this winter. And at the dawn of the new season, the Portland Press Herald reported that Masterson is focused on rebuilding his arm strength.

“Felt strong, feeling good, making the pitches and putting them where I need them to be,” Masterson told the news outlet. “It doesn’t make me perfect or anything, but as far as being able to drive behind the ball, it’s been great. That arm strength is coming along. Need about two or three [more starts] and I think I’ll be right.”

Bracing for the long season

Mitch Harris, a relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, recently served in the Navy. When the team selected Harris in the 13th of the 2008 draft, he seemed like a fringe prospect with room to grow. However, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, he has surprised managers and scouts by throwing 95 mile per hour with consistency.

Harris said that last season was still a developmental one.

“I was still a little sore, still working through things with my shoulder at the beginning of the year,” Harris told the news outlet. “But I was stretching out and getting strong. Through the year it continued to progress. Literally, every month I was stronger. You could even break it down every week - I got better and better.”