Arkansas loses key starting pitcher to Tommy John surgery

Arkansas starting pitcher Jaxon Wiggins will miss the 2023 season after tearing his right UCL.

The program announced that news on Thursday afternoon. Head coach Dave Van Horn also released a statement on the injury.

“We feel bad for Jaxon,” Van Horn said. “He worked incredibly hard over the offseason and was prepared to lead our rotation. While we are certainly disappointed that he won’t be able to see the results of his hard work on the mound this season, our priority is his health and recovery.”

Statement from the UA and head coach Dave Van Horn following the news that RHP Jaxon Wiggins will undergo Tommy John surgery for a torn UCL and miss the 2023 season. pic.twitter.com/eExFUANsns

— Mason Choate (@ChoateMason) February 9, 2023

According to D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers, who 1st reported Wiggins’ injury, he was projected to be a top pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

SOURCE: Tough news out of Fayetteville, as @RazorbackBSB RHP Jaxon Wiggins will miss the 2023 season after recently suffering a torn UCL. He will have Tommy John surgery. Wiggins is ranked the No. 41 college #MLBDraft prospect by @d1baseball. #wps #Hogs pic.twitter.com/r76RRmFQLD

— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) February 9, 2023

Wiggins showed potential, but also struggled a bit while pitching for the Razorbacks in 2022. He posted an ERA of 6.55 in 15 starts, with a high walk rate (5.9 per 9 innings) being the main culprit. He did strike out 11.2 batters per 9 innings as well.

The SEC released its preseason poll on Thursday. The Razorbacks were ranked No. 3 in the West behind LSU and Texas A&M.