The 30-inning rule

Before last season, Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated wrote an article on the dangers of pitchers under 25 throwing over 30 innings than they did the previous season (or their previous career high). This includes time spent in the minors and the postseason. Verducci stated that a lot of the times when pitchers break this rule they either get hurt the next season or have a big drop off in production. He listed seven pitchers who broke the rule and could be in trouble for the 2008, and the season didn't prove too successfull for much of them.


Ian Kennedy-sucked balls
Fausto Carmona-missed time with a hip injury, couldn't get anyone out when he actually did pitch.
Tom Gorzellanny-went from having a decent season to having an ERA over six.
Dustin McGowan-had surgery for a torn labrum
Chad Gaudin-didn't really have much of an increase in ERA, but at least he was terrible with the Cubs.
Yovani Gallardo-missed almost the whole season with a knee injury, nothing really to do with his 2007 workload.
Ubaldo Jimenez-had a decent season in his first full year (12-12, 3.99 ERA).

Some pitchers who broke the rule in 2008 and who could be in trouble this season include John Danks, Matt Garza, Cole Hamels, and Jair Jurrjens.