Overuse of young pitchers fueling MLB's Tommy John surgery problem

Jameson Taillon will miss the entire 2014 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery at age 22.

Gene J. Puskar/AP

Matt Moore left his April 7 start with an elbow injury that will require Tommy John surgery.

Orlin Wagner/AP

The scout can look at the wonder of the prodigy -- a 17-year-old kid with top-end major league velocity -- and dream on it. He sees a first-round pick. A future ace. What he doesn't want to see is what people like Fleisig see. It is an image that is becoming more and more common: A rubber band about to break.