Tending to Major League Baseball Injuries, But Also Treating Patients Like Pros at Baptist Health Orthopedic Care

Major league baseball is going through some major rule changes to make the game quicker and more exciting -- and that may raise the likelihood of more injuries. Derek Papp, M.D., orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care, knows all too well about baseball's most common injuries -- usually involving the shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, and core musculature.

Dr. Papp is a sports medicine physician with Baptist Health who serves as a team physician for Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles.  Prior to joining Baptist Health Orthopedic Care in 2017, he provided clinical and surgical instruction to residents as a part-time Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, a role that also still continues, though from a distance.

Derek Papp, M.D., orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician with Baptist Health Orthopedic Care.

This month, he is taking part in the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft Combine at Chase Field in Phoenix. The Draft Combine, which is in its third year, invited nearly 300 draft-eligible players. They will participate in medical and performance assessments and educational programs. Major league teams hope to get detailed pre-draft performance and medical information on top prospects.

Baseball's New Rules and Potential Injuries

With increasing emphasis on pitching velocity and spin rate for pitchers, and exit velocity and launch angles for hitters, baseball players have responded with increasing physical fitness levels to meet the new challenges (or demands).  Dr. Papp said that Major League Baseball (MLB) officials will conduct an extensive review at the end of the season to determine the full impact of this season’s rule changes--including speeding up the game with a pitch clock—that might increase potential for injury.

"Now, we have more pitchers throwing at 95 miles-per-hour and faster," said Dr. Papp. "We've had more pitchers than ever throwing at more than 100 mph. So, you may see more elbow, shoulder, and lat (latissimus dorsi muscle) injuries than you would see before.”

"Hitters also potentially sustain something called "batter's shoulder.' That's not necessarily new, but it's something that has just been more recognized now. Batter’s shoulder refers to a torn labrum at the rear of the shoulder, and it is caused by strong forces in the leading bat hand during the swing."

The new rules have a major impact on pitchers, who now have 15 seconds to throw a pitch with the bases empty and 20 seconds with a runner on base. Hitters will need to be in the batter's box with eight seconds on the pitch clock.

"The simplest question is about the amount of rest between pitches," explains Dr. Papp. "Does the pitcher have enough rest? But then there's another question. Maybe, it's only partially the rest. Maybe, it's more about the added mental stress on the players that previously wouldn't be there."

Treating Athletes and Non-Athletes Alike

Baptist Health offers comprehensive orthopedic services for both pro athletes and non-athletes. On the professional level, Baptist Health is the sports medicine provider for the Miami Dolphins, Miami HEAT, Florida Panthers, InterMiami CF, Florida International University athletics, and other organizations and events.

Dr. Papp’s time with professional athletes certainly helps him when it comes to the non-athletes, or active individuals who suffer strains, torn ligaments, or fractures and need to get back to an active life -- just like players need to get back in the game.

"In many ways, there is overlap because it doesn't matter what level of an athlete you are—you love to do something and you want to keep doing it," explains Dr. Papp. "My job is to help you do that. If you hurt your knee, I'm going to try to make it so that you can do what you want to do. I try to minimize restrictions on you when you're finally done with treatment. So, in those ways, it's really similar treating athletes and non-athletes."

Covering the World Baseball Classic

Dr. Papp's track record in Major League Baseball took another dramatic turn in March when he was a venue orthopedic physician for the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), an international professional baseball tournament and the fifth iteration of the WBC. It ended on March 21 with Japan defeating the U.S. team, 3-2, in the championship game at loanDepot Park in Miami. The game ended in dramatic fashion with Japan’s Shohei Ohtani striking out his MLB teammate Mike Trout.

"The whole experience at the WBC was amazing," said Dr. Papp. "You partner with other physicians and major league athletic trainers who are helping with each of the national federations. It's an honor to be part of that group."

Dr. Papp, who served as the venue orthopedic physician in Taiwan and Miami for the WBC Finals, was not present when two of the most serious injuries occurred.  New York Mets All-Star closer Edwin Díaz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating Puerto Rico’s win over the Dominican Republic in the Group Stage, securing their advancement to the Quarterfinals. Houston Astros star player Jose Altuve fractured his right thumb in Venezuela’s Quarterfinal loss to the United States.

What advice does Dr. Papp give players in helping them prevent injuries?

"Especially for pitchers, the main thing is doing your stretches -- making sure that your shoulder is stretched out, and making sure that you keep your core and leg strength up. A lot of athletes don't necessarily take care of their lower body and core. And that's honestly where most of the velocity comes from. And if you can keep that up, it makes a big difference.

"If you can also maintain the smaller muscles in your shoulder and maintain your flexibility, whether that be in your shoulder or your hip or wherever else in your body, it pays dividends going forward."