Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet injuries are why paying big money for starting pitchers in MLB is a bad idea

There’s a harsh reality in today’s Major League Baseball: Elite starting pitching is as valuable as ever—but also more fragile than ever. And the latest injuries to Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet are only reinforcing a growing concern across MLB. The two aces have both gone down with injuries this season, and it is raising big-time questions.

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From Cy Young Favorites to Injury Headlines

Skubal and Crochet weren’t just good in 2025—they were the standard. They finished first and second in AL Cy Young voting, entering the 2026 MLB season as the clear favorites to battle for the award again.

Now? Both are dealing with injuries.

• Crochet, already paid by the Boston Red Sox, is battling shoulder issues
• Skubal, expected to land one of the biggest pitching contracts ever, is now sidelined for 2–3 months

For Skubal, a potential third straight Cy Young season is likely off the table. For teams around the league, the bigger takeaway is even more important.

The Problem With Paying Pitchers

This isn’t just about two players. It’s about a pattern. MLB front offices continue to hand out massive contracts to starting pitchers, betting on sustained dominance. But time and time again, the same issue arises: Durability.

Pitchers today:

• Throw harder than ever
• Generate more spin than ever
• Operate at max effort nearly every pitch

And the human body simply isn’t built for that level of repeated stress. It’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when. Elbows give out. Shoulders flare up. Velocity takes its toll.