Charles Dunavan

Dr. Charles Dunavan


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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10 June 2026 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
TAThomas Gus Almonroeder
Thomas Gus Almonroeder
ZKZachary Knapp
Zachary Knapp
CDCharles Dunavan
Charles Dunavan
JKJay Krebs
Jay Krebs
Margaret JonesMargaret Jones
Margaret Jones
AJAndrew - Jagim
Andrew - Jagim
The primary aim of this study was to examine pitching performance metrics before and after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) among Major League Baseball (MLB) starting and relief pitchers. The following information was extracted from the “Tommy John Surgery List” database regarding UCLR surgeries among MLB pitchers: UCLR date, pitcher type (starting pitcher, relief pitcher), and age at time of UCLR. Pitching performance metrics were extracted from the Baseball Savant online platform for the two seasons immediately prior to UCLR (pre) and the two seasons immediately following returning to pitching after UCLR (post). Fifty-nine pitchers were included in this study (29 starting pitchers, 30 relief pitchers). The outcome measures included the number of pitches thrown, earned run average (ERA), walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP), strikeout percentage, whiff percentage, walk percentage, batting average against, ground ball percentage, and fastball velocity. There was a pitcher type-by-time interaction effect for ERA (p = 0.01; η2 = 0.12) and WHIP (p = 0.01; η2 = 0.12). Starting pitcher ERA increased from 3.68 to 4.40 from pre- to post-surgery, while relief pitcher ERA decreased from 4.47 to 3.90. In addition, starting pitcher WHIP increased from 1.22 to 1.29 from pre- to post-surgery, while relief pitcher WHIP decreased from 1.38 to 1.28. There was a main effect of time for pitches thrown (p = 0.04; η2 = 0.07). Significant differences between starting and relief pitchers were observed for changes in ERA and WHIP following UCLR, whereas no pitcher type-by-time interactions were observed for the remaining performance metrics. Both starting and relief pitchers threw fewer pitches following UCLR, while fastball velocity and other key pitching performance metrics remained largely unchanged.