Oregon sophomore pitcher Cole Irvin will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2014 season baseball season. Todd Miles, Oregon’s Associate Director of Athletic Communications, said the surgery will take place next Monday. Baseball America’s Aaron Fitt first reported the news.
BREAKING: Just spoke with Oregon coach George Horton, who said LHP Cole Irvin will miss '14 season with tommy john surgery. h/t @LesLukach
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) February 3, 2014
Irvin told KEZI’s Stephen Nelson that he thinks the Ducks will be fine without him.
“Unfortunately going to miss the first trip to Omaha with the boys…This team is going to go with or without me,” Irvin said.
Irvin was slotted to be one of Oregon’s main starters this season after his stellar freshman year in 2013, when he tallied a 2.48 ERA, four complete games and an Oregon single-season record 12 wins in 16 starts. He was also named a first team freshman All-American.
According to Fitt, head coach George Horton doesn’t plan on moving Jake Reed back into the starting rotation after Reed made the transition to the bullpen. Tommy Thorpe, Matt Krook and either Porter Clayton or Jordan Spencer are expected to make up the rotation in Irvin’s absence.
Horton still plans to keep Jake Reed in bullpen. Expects Tommy Thorpe and Matt Krook to start, along with Porter Clayton or Jordan Spencer.
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) February 3, 2014
Perfect Game’s Kendall Rodgers also spoke with Horton and reported that Jeff Gold and Garrett Cleavinger are also in consideration for Irvin’s rotation spot.
According to Horton, @OregonBaseball will look at Jeff Gold, Porter Clayton and Garrett Cleavinger to replace Cole Irvin in rotation. #Ducks
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogersPG) February 3, 2014
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