Pitchers are the backbone of any successful Major League Baseball (MLB) team. Their ability to consistently throw quality pitches and work deep into games gives their team the best chance to win on a daily basis. However, the physical toll of pitching cannot be understated. Throwing a baseball overhand at high velocities is an unnatural motion that puts tremendous stress on the arm and body. Pitchers must be given adequate rest between outings to recover, stay healthy, and sustain performance over a long 162-game season.
How many pitches do MLB starters throw per game?
Most starting MLB pitchers throw between 100-110 pitches per game on average. However, some pitchers average more or less than that range:
| Pitcher | 2022 Avg Pitches Per Game |
|---|---|
| Max Scherzer | 103 |
| Gerrit Cole | 100 |
| Shane Bieber | 95 |
| Zack Wheeler | 106 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 89 |
The number of pitches thrown is dependent on several factors, including the pitcher’s stamina and effectiveness on a given day. Managers will also pull a starter earlier if his pitch count gets too high, generally around 100 pitches, to avoid overuse.
How much rest do starters receive between games pitched?
Most MLB starting pitchers receive 4-5 days of rest between games started. A typical pitcher’s schedule over a two-week period would look something like this:
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Rest | Rest | Rest | Rest | Start | Rest | Rest | Rest | Rest | Start | Rest | Rest | Rest |
This allows three full days of rest after one start before pitching again. Then four full days of rest until the next outing. This alternation is typical to maximize recovery between outings.
Do pitchers ever throw on short rest?
While less common, starting pitchers occasionally throw games on short rest, meaning only 3 days of rest instead of the normal 4-5. This usually occurs under the following circumstances:
- During the playoffs – Starting pitchers are sometimes brought back on short rest if their team is facing elimination
- Following an abbreviated start – If a pitcher is pulled early from a start after a low pitch count, he may come back on short rest
- After the All-Star break – Teams sometimes use a four-man rotation temporarily after the midsummer break
- “Bullpen games” – When a team has no true starter available, they may use a reliever as an “opener” and have the previous game’s pitcher follow as a “bulk inning” guy on short rest
However, throwing on short rest is seen as an increased injury risk and not optimal for performance. Teams will only do it sporadically in unique circumstances.
How much rest do relief pitchers receive between appearances?
Relief pitchers generally pitch more frequently than starters but with lower pitch counts per appearance. The amount of rest between relief outings depends on the pitcher’s role:
| Relief Pitcher Role | Typical Rest Between Appearances |
|---|---|
| Closer | 1-2 days |
| Setup/High Leverage | 1-2 days |
| Middle Relief | 0-2 days |
| Long Relief | 3-5 days |
Closers and high leverage setup men are usually rested at least a day between outings, while middle relievers may pitch back to back days more often. Long relievers take longer to recover since they pitch multiple innings at a time.
What is a team’s rotation schedule?
Almost all MLB teams employ a five-man starting rotation these days. This means they use five starting pitchers on a regular schedule. Over a two-week stretch, a typical five-man rotation schedule would look something like this:
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 | Day 9 | Day 10 | Day 11 | Day 12 | Day 13 | Day 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP1 | SP2 | SP3 | SP4 | SP5 | SP1 | SP2 | SP3 | SP4 | SP5 | SP1 | SP2 | SP3 | SP4 |
The order of the starting pitchers isn’t critical, but teams try to split up their lefties and righties. This schedule ensures each starter receives roughly 4 days of rest between appearances.
When would a team use a four or six-man rotation?
While a five-man rotation is standard, there are some exceptions where teams may use a four or six-man rotation for a period of time:
Four-Man Rotation
- To cover starts after the All-Star break with a short rotation
- During a playoff stretch run to maximize starts from top pitchers
- If a team has off days to provide extra rest between starts
- On a young pitching staff to limit workload for developing arms
Six-Man Rotation
- To give extra rest to pitchers coming back from injury
- On teams with six quality starting pitchers
- To manage young pitchers’ innings and prevent overuse
- During grueling stretches of the schedule with few off days
The downside of these rotations is they can disrupt pitchers’ schedules and routine. Teams have to balance rest and recovery with maintaining regular slots for their starters.
Do teams adjust their rotation in the playoffs?
Yes, rotations are often adjusted in the playoffs compared to the regular season. Teams have more off days during the postseason, so five starters are no longer needed. It allows teams to maximize starts by their top one or two pitchers.
The most common playoff rotation approach is to use four starters on full rest. Teams will drop their #4 or #5 starter and just go with their top arms as much as possible. This strategy has become more popular after seeing wild card teams ride one ace starter to the World Series title.
Teams may still use a temporary fifth starter to give their top guys an extra day of rest after the longer regular season. But for the most part, teams lean heavily on their frontline playoff rotation down the stretch.
What limits do teams set on pitcher workloads?
With pitcher injuries so common, teams have instituted various workload limits and safeguards:
- Innings Limits – Young pitchers especially are often capped around 160-180 innings in a season. Workloads are increased gradually each subsequent season.
- Pitch Limits – Most teams try to limit starters to 100-110 pitches per game, at which point they will get pulled regardless of performance.
- Avoiding Big Inning Jumps – Teams prefer starters don’t increase their innings total by more than 30 from one year to the next.
- DL Stints for Rest – Starters are sometimes placed on the 10-day disabled list when healthy, just to get a refreshed arm.
While unpopular with fans, these limits protect pitcher health. The theory is a small limitation on innings now prevents major injuries down the road.
Conclusion
Determining normal rest and ideal rotation schedules is crucial for MLB teams to keep their pitchers healthy and performing at a high level from April through October. Today’s game analysis makes clear that 4-5 days of rest is optimal for starters, while relievers can pitch more frequently with shorter outings. Playoff rotations require adjustments from the regular season. With pitcher injuries so prevalent, workload limits are necessary – even if unpopular at times. Managing minutes and workloads ultimately allows teams to maximize the production they get from their pitching staff when it matters most.