Selig gravely concerned about Tommy John epidemic as experts prepare report

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is “anxious” to look at the recommendations of a team of top orthopedists who are studying the uptick in elbow injuries among pitchers.

A handful of experts, including Dr. James Andrews and New York Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad, are putting together a report to help baseball address the rash of reconstructive Tommy John surgeries.

Selig says the report isn’t quite finished. He called the trend “puzzling” and said there was a time earlier in the season when he was afraid to pick up a newspaper out of fear of more bad news.

Over two dozen major league pitchers have been sidelined with elbow injuries this season, including rising stars Jose Fernandez and Kris Medlen. Selig called the issue a “grave concern” to the game.