BOSTON — Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober was placed on the injured list with a mild flexor strain in his right elbow after claiming the injury resulted from improperly prepared baseballs during his May 24 start. Major League Baseball investigated the baseballs used during the game and determined they met league standards.
Ober filed a complaint with the MLB Players Association following the game. Twins manager Derek Shelton also filed a complaint with MLB on Ober's behalf.
During the May 24 game in Boston, cold and rainy weather occurred. "I threw my warmup pitches, and I immediately asked for a new one. I got that one back, and it was the same thing. Every ball that I got after that was the same thing," Ober said. "I haven’t dealt with poorly rubbed up baseballs to that extent ever," he said. "The only way to be able to throw slick baseballs is to grip them harder, so you can execute your pitches. If not, you’re not going to know where the ball is going, especially with breaking pitches," he said.
Ober stated his arm felt sore after the May 24 start but improved before his next appearance. However, the soreness returned by the second inning of his May 30 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He allowed seven earned runs on 12 hits over 4 2/3 innings in a 10-9 loss to the Pirates. An MRI showed no ligament damage in Ober's right elbow. He will refrain from throwing for 10 to 14 days due to the mild flexor strain, marking the first time he has been placed on the injured list.
MLB rules require game baseballs to be rubbed down with Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud before use to remove gloss. Clubhouse attendants typically perform this task, and umpires are required to inspect baseballs before they are used in a game. Gripping a baseball tightly can cause forearm strains, elbow tendinitis, and stress to the ulnar collateral ligament. Ober previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015 while playing for the College of Charleston.