Since spring training, professional baseball teams are once again having their number takers working overtime. They record every pitch made by a pitcher and let the coach know when they are approaching their allowable limits.
By recording and keeping tabs on the number of pitches thrown and number of innings pitched, teams believe they can control the number of pitching injuries that occur every year. To date, as supported by the research, this method has not made any change in the number and types of injuries that occur.
But yet, the practice continues and from what can be determined, will continue this way in the foreseeable future. Because of this, teams appear to be more interested in trying to prevent the number of injuries through external observation rather than looking at the real, internal causes behind most injuries.
By external training I mean the counting of the number of pitches and innings pitched and possibly recording how the pitcher looks or feels while pitching. Internal observation revolves around scientifically examining their technique to determine the joint actions that may be responsible for causing the injuries.
Related to this would be the creation of specialized strength exercises to strengthen the muscles in specific actions in the throwing motion. These exercises would go a long way toward preventing injury and at the same time, enhancing the pitching motion.
In this way the pitcher could be made to throw harder and/or more accurately. You would be able to improve his performance, something that is presently not believed in professional baseball. But it is very possible. The information is known and proven, it only needs implementation.
For more information on pitching see Build a Better Athlete