I've read in a couple different places the past week about MLB wanting to REQUIRE teams to keep their SP in the game 6 innings, unless they have already gone over 100 pitches or given up 4 ER (or I assume get injured). And I do think that could reduce injuries. Why? Because starting pitchers, knowing they aren't going to be in there for long are going 100% like RPs but throwing twice as many pitches as an RP. Whereas when guys would throw complete games, maybe they were only going at 90-95% wanting to finish what they started. I also think another reason is all of the new pitches, cutters, etc... being thrown putting more pressure on the elbow.
However, rather than creating a requirement of teams to keep their SP in for 6 innings, what do you think of this solution?
- Both leagues now have the DH. The DH is a surrogate at the plate for the pitcher, a stunt double. But he is often one of the better (say top 5-6) hitters on the team. Why not instead make that when you substitute out your SP, you are also substituting out his lineup surrogate (the DH). So, it would be more of an incentive to keep your SP in longer, than a requirement to do so.
- I would limit it to when you replace your SP, because if you do it after every pitching change, you might run out of players to DH (without having pitchers start DH'ing).
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