St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright went on the disabled list on May 16, 2018 with what was described as “elbow inflammation”. Elbow pain is very common among baseball pitchers. The repeated throwing a baseball creates expected changes to the elbow (see the thrower’s elbow).
It was reported on May 16 that “the initial MRI gave inconclusive results so a second MRI test will be issued”. This is misleading because all professional pitchers have changes on MRI. It is difficult to determine when a finding is new or when a finding merits treatment.
Wainwright will be placed on a 60 day disabled list while he rests his elbow and likely works on forearm muscle strengthening exercises and possibly throwing mechanics-exercises that can help people continue throwing effectively as their elbow wears out. There is still no timetable on Wainwright’s return.

This article was created by Paul Bonilla and David Ring.