Rest Might Be Best to Preserve Pitchers

Elbow injuries and Tommy John surgeries are taking away some of MLB’s best pitchers. Six-man rotations and extra off days could be a way to preserve arms.

Yu Darvish #11 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif., on April 8, 2024. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Tommy John was a left-hander who won 288 games in the 1960s, ‘70s, and ’80s. He had great stuff and a nice smile.

These days, no one smiles when they hear someone say Tommy John.