The 2024 Major League Baseball season kicks off Thursday, with a notable roster of star pitchers sidelined due to various arm and back injuries, resembling a potential Hall of Fame lineup.
Among them are Gerrit Cole, Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Eduardo Rodriguez. In response, teams are signing replacements, like the D-backs adding Jordan Montgomery, though his recent lack of play may delay his debut.
These pitchers boast impressive stats, with Verlander leading in career wins, Scherzer in strikeouts, and Cole as the reigning Cy Young Award winner. The epidemic of pitching injuries has left managers puzzled, with even World Series champs, like the Rangers, facing makeshift rotations.
The Astros, despite Verlander’s return to form, are grappling with multiple starters out, forcing unconventional matchups. The Dodgers are also facing challenges, with Buehler and Kershaw sidelined, despite offseason acquisitions.
The D-backs, initially avoiding the injury bug, were dealt a blow with Rodriguez’s injury, adding to their pitching woes. Despite precautions, injuries persist, leaving key players sidelined and teams scrambling for solutions.
