(The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) -- Major league teams are standing watch over their pitchers. Not only are pitch counts studied, but a hurler's mechanics are monitored by a computer to see if he puts too much stress on his body.

Just look at Arizona pitcher Edwin Jackson, who threw a no-hitter June 25. It took Jackson 149 pitches to finish the job. The club gave him an extra two days of rest before his next start.

Renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who has operated on the likes of John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Roger Clemens, said teams are protecting their investments.

"We went through a period in the '70s and '80s when our phenoms coming out of high school and college were brought up to the majors right quick, threw 250 innings a year, with no pitch counts, and they were a one-year phenomenon," Andrews said. "They were hurt, and their careers were destroyed.

"It took a while for people to realize those younger pitchers were more vulnerable than older pitchers. Finally, everything has turned around to the point where longevity became the name of the game, and everybody got to be a lot more protective."

After an era of slugfests and home runs, pitchers are making a comeback. The hurlers are sturdier and have more velocity, in part because their bodies are protected.

"Taking care of them and making sure they stay healthy has become a predominant theme in Major League Baseball," Andrews said. "I wish we had the same thought process in youth baseball. Things are upside down in that respect. The older and more mature players have better care, and there is better control from a prevention standpoint than younger players.

"A lot of pitching coaches have become aware of this, and a lot of them were pitchers who got hurt at an early age. It's gotten the attention of everybody."

Copyright 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution