Masahiro Tanakas double hamstring injury suffered while running the bases Friday night is an example of why there is building sentiment among some of baseballs young and progressive general managers toward the adoption of the designated hitter in the National League. The newest generation of executives use analytics to steer around risk, and this is why some of them would be strongly in favor of preventing pitchers from hitting or bunting or running the bases. Asked one: Is there anything more ridiculous in baseball than watching an American League pitcher try to hit?