One pattern that I've picked up on is that -- in the best case -- problematic pitching mechanics tend to get a pitcher's elbow and then get their shoulder.

I saying the best case because elbows are easier to fix than shoulders.

But why is that so often the case?

First it Gets the Elbow, Then it Gets the Shoulder

Problematic pitching mechanics get the elbow and then get the shoulder because they share the same root cause.

Matt Harvey is an example of a pitcher who had elbow problems and then shoulder problems due to a flaw in Matt Harvey's pitching mechanics.

• ELBOW: August 2013 to 2014 out with Tommy John Surgery.
• SHOULDER: June 2016 to March 2017 Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
• SHOULDER: June 15, 2017 to September 2017 Stress Fracture in Scapula.

In sum, Matt Harvey employs a number of tricks...

• Power T
• Point the Ball at Second Base
• Into/At Foot Plant

...that creates a Timing problem.

Instead of being UP at foot plant with his palm facing Third Base, Matt Harvey's arm instead is more FLAT and his palm is facing Second Base.

That likely gave Matt Harvey a quick and easy velocity boost, but did so by overloading his arm.

History shows that tends first to overload the elbow and then the shoulder.