Comeback Complete: Irvin Slated To Start UO Opener Friday At Hawaii
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
The outlook couldn’t be sunnier for Cole Irvin.
Oregon’s sophomore left-hander, who missed the 2014 season with an elbow injury, is slated to start the Ducks’ 2015 opener Friday at Hawaii. UO coach George Horton announced the news Monday, one day short of exactly once year since Irvin underwent Tommy John surgery on his left arm.
“He’s right on schedule, right on cue,” Horton said. “He’s taken a semi-aggressive approach – cautiously aggressive – and he’s passed all the challenges. He’s not as sharp as he would be, but I think he’s ready to go.”
Irvin, who set a UO record with 12 wins in 2013, will be on a pitch count that should limit him to two or three innings.
“The goal was just to pitch this season; it didn’t really matter when,” Irvin said. “But it’s Hawaii, so I’m excited to be with the team the whole year. It’ll be exciting to see where the road takes us.”
Horton announced a four-man starting rotation in which Irvin will be followed by freshman left-hander David Peterson, sophomore right-hander Trent Paddon and senior right Jack Karraker. Sophomore right-hander Stephen Nogosek, who had been in the mix to start, will pitch in short relief to open 2015, setting up closer Garrett Cleavinger.
Irvin had surgery on Feb. 10, 2014, delaying his follow-up to a freshman season in which he was 12-3 with a 2.48 ERA. He began throwing long toss in the fall and transitioned to the mound over the winter.
In late January, Irvin threw his first live innings, setting down six hitters in order. He began mixing in his breaking ball against live batters last week.
“I was just spotting really well, and the (velocity) was there as well, which was surprising,” Irvin said. “I’ve been really focusing on command, making sure I have all my pitches when I come back.”
Horton said the Ducks will have a long reliever ready to replace Irvin as he approaches his pitch count. Irvin will presumably build up to longer and longer outings as the spring progresses.
“It’s going to be awesome,” UO catcher Shaun Chase said. “I’m sure he’s going to have a whole bunch of emotions running through his mind, and I’ll be out there with him so maybe I can help a little bit. But it’s going to be a special moment for him.”
Irvin joked that he’d like to go the full nine Friday within his pitch limit. In reality he probably only will work a couple innings, but based on the road he’s travelled, they’ll be hugely significant innings, for the Ducks and their ace.
“It’s all how the game plays out, how Hawaii decides to attack my pitches,” Irvin said. “But they have to attack me, because I’m attacking them.”
