Major League Baseball managers Clayton McCullough and Don Kelly ignited controversy after pulling young starting pitchers Eury Pérez and Jared Jones during active perfect game bids within a four-day span in July 2026.
The decisions highlight a growing trend across the league that prioritizes long-term arm durability over individual historical milestones.
Pérez of the Miami Marlins was removed on Sunday after seven perfect innings against the Oakland Athletics, while Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates was pulled on Wednesday after six perfect frames against the Atlanta Braves.
Both pitchers have histories of significant elbow surgeries and maintain high average fastball velocities.
Managerial Justifications
McCullough defended his choice to pull Pérez after 92 pitches, citing the pitcher's recent return from the injured list.
"Going into this game, 90 plus a batter was a pitch count that I felt comfortable with him coming back off the time on the IL and us looking to play beyond the season," McCullough said.
He acknowledged the emotional difficulty but emphasized organizational goals.
"Eury's gonna be an important part of that. Yeah, he had it really going today and I totally get it.
There was a part of my heartstrings pulling at his opportunity to keep going, but I have to think about Eury, one, and our organization, our team, and what's best moving forward and giving us a chance to win games," McCullough said.
Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly faced similar scrutiny after replacing Jones, who had thrown only 77 pitches and recorded eight strikeouts before being pulled in a scoreless game that the Pirates eventually lost 3-0.
"Wanting guys to stay healthy is the number one thing. We need Jared for the rest of the season throwing the ball like that," Kelly said.
Critics, including sports commentator Mark Madden, argued that such decisions remove the historic romance and excitement from the game, especially for struggling franchises.
"Goodbye to Romance," Madden wrote, referencing the analytical evolution of baseball.
Other managers expressed the internal conflict inherent in modern handling of no-hitters.
"How long until I'm not responsible for Edwin Jackson's health?" said A.
J.
Hinch, recalling a past no-hit bid where he felt relief only after the pitcher secured a future contract.
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona noted the challenge of balancing player futures with historic opportunities.
"You're trying to balance kids' futures and the chance to throw a no-hitter," Francona said.
He explained his personal philosophy: "I think I've always fallen on the side of, 'If he can finish it, OK.'
If he can't, why are you messing around with hurting somebody?"
San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen attributed the decline in completed no-hitters to rising pitch velocities and effective bullpens.
"I think the one variable is everybody keeps throwing harder," Stammen said.
In contrast, Blue Jays manager John Schneider allowed veteran Dylan Cease to pitch into the ninth inning on Wednesday after 115 pitches.
"I'm a fan of baseball.
I think if a guy has a chance to throw a no-hitter, I think you let him do it, and you make adjustments after that," Schneider said.
He reiterated his desire to grant players those rare opportunities under the right circumstances, but acknowledged that organizational rules remain the ultimate boundary.
