These hit by pitch injuries are getting tiresome
The Braves lost a lot of hitters due to being struck by errant pitches in the second half of 2024. That trend has continued in 2025. Sean Murphy has been shelved for six to eight weeks for a HBP. Austin Riley was removed from a game for the same yesterday. Orlando Arcia was struck as well yesterday. It just doesn’t seem to end.
In the 1990s and 2000s a team would retaliate by hitting the opposition. This has been thankfully been removed from the modern game (for the most part). But now modern pitchers turn themselves into pretzels in order to get maximum velocity and spin rate. Accuracy has suffered, especially among relievers.
What is the proper HBP punishment for pitchers in the modern game? Is one base to the hitter enough of a deterrent? MLB has added a raft of new rules over the last ten years. So it’s annoying that they haven’t asked themselves this question.
Awarding two bases is a possibility. I remember looking at this last year. I think suspensions for exceeding a 5.0% HBP rate is a good place to start. You could suspend starting pitchers for more than one HBP in a start, or relievers for more than one in a 6-game stretch. That might need MLBPA approval in the next CBA, though. Whatever it is, do something.