Twins Pitcher Ober Attributes Elbow Injury to Baseball Condition

Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober said an elbow injury that placed him on the 15-day injured list resulted from baseballs used during a May 24 start. He described the balls as the slickest he has encountered in six seasons. The game occurred in steady rain that left the infield surface soft.

Ober told The Minnesota Star Tribune that the condition of the baseballs created grip problems throughout his five innings. "The only way to be able to throw slick baseballs is to grip them harder, so you can execute your pitches," he said, according to the Star Tribune.

" Ober recorded a 6-3 record and 4.59 ERA before the placement. He made one additional start after the May 24 game and was placed on the injured list the next day with right elbow inflammation.

Ober said he felt no discomfort during the May 24 game but noticed soreness afterward. The discomfort eased during the following week before returning in the second inning of his next outing. He and the team's athletic trainer concluded the injury originated from the earlier start.

Twins manager Derek Shelton filed a complaint with Major League Baseball on Ober's behalf. The league reviewed the baseballs from that game and determined they met its standards, according to the Star Tribune.