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FAYETTEVILLE — A pitching-staff boost that once felt looming now sounds like it might never occur for Arkansas baseball.
Throughout the preseason and early months of the 2026 campaign, Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn said he hoped powerful righty Carson Wiggins might be able to return from Tommy John surgery in May. But Van Horn's tune changed during his monthly Swatters Club luncheon on Monday, May 4.
"Carson has been to the doctor and he's 100% healthy, but as of right now, they're not going to let him pitch," Van Horn told the Arkansas fans in attendance.
"That's all I'm going to say. Not real happy about it."
During a media scrum after the luncheon, Van Horn elaborated the "they" he referred to his Wiggins' doctor in Dallas. He also doubts there will be any changes to Wiggins' availability for the rest of the season.
Wiggins made 14 appearances as a true freshman in 2025 before the season-ending injury. He posted a 1-1 record with a 3.21 ERA, 20 strikeouts and three saves in 14 innings.
If Wiggins doesn't pitch this season, his Arkansas career might be over. He is a draft-eligible sophomore who possesses a fastball that easily touches triple digits. MLB.com rates Wiggins as the 83rd best prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft.
However, the righty could return to school and pitch in 2027 while maintaining his leverage as a junior. A solid season could elevate Wiggins into early first-round status.
Will the Oklahoma native bypass this summer's draft and give the Hogs a full season next spring?
"We're hoping. They're going to have to pay him a lot of money," Van Horn said. "I'm sure he'll go to the combine. He wasn't happy. He's not happy about it, believe me, he wants to pitch."
Van Horn reiterated at Swatters Club that he wants Gabe Gaeckle to resume his duties as a weekend starter. The junior righty moved to the bullpen after a loss to Auburn on April 2, but he started the Hogs' 5-4 win over Ole Miss on Sunday, May 3.
Cole Gibler replaced Gaeckle in the weekend rotation during the last four SEC series. He is 1-2 with a 5.66 ERA in that span, but the ERA ballooned after Gibler allowed seven earned runs against the Rebels on Saturday, May 2.
Van Horn told reporters that if he was making a decision on Monday, his weekend rotation would be Hunter Dietz and two TBA designations.
"To us, we just have to go win a game. Let’s just win one and then we’ll move on to the next one. Maybe we can out-hit you that game," Van Horn said. "I’m good with Gibler pitching and starting, but if we need to use him before Game 2 or 3, we’re going to use him. Same with Gaeckle."
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas baseball pitcher Carson Wiggins likely out for 2026 season
Continue reading...
Throughout the preseason and early months of the 2026 campaign, Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn said he hoped powerful righty Carson Wiggins might be able to return from Tommy John surgery in May. But Van Horn's tune changed during his monthly Swatters Club luncheon on Monday, May 4.
"Carson has been to the doctor and he's 100% healthy, but as of right now, they're not going to let him pitch," Van Horn told the Arkansas fans in attendance.
"That's all I'm going to say. Not real happy about it."
During a media scrum after the luncheon, Van Horn elaborated the "they" he referred to his Wiggins' doctor in Dallas. He also doubts there will be any changes to Wiggins' availability for the rest of the season.
Wiggins made 14 appearances as a true freshman in 2025 before the season-ending injury. He posted a 1-1 record with a 3.21 ERA, 20 strikeouts and three saves in 14 innings.
If Wiggins doesn't pitch this season, his Arkansas career might be over. He is a draft-eligible sophomore who possesses a fastball that easily touches triple digits. MLB.com rates Wiggins as the 83rd best prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft.
However, the righty could return to school and pitch in 2027 while maintaining his leverage as a junior. A solid season could elevate Wiggins into early first-round status.
Will the Oklahoma native bypass this summer's draft and give the Hogs a full season next spring?
"We're hoping. They're going to have to pay him a lot of money," Van Horn said. "I'm sure he'll go to the combine. He wasn't happy. He's not happy about it, believe me, he wants to pitch."
Are changes coming to Arkansas baseball's weekend pitching rotation?
Van Horn reiterated at Swatters Club that he wants Gabe Gaeckle to resume his duties as a weekend starter. The junior righty moved to the bullpen after a loss to Auburn on April 2, but he started the Hogs' 5-4 win over Ole Miss on Sunday, May 3.
Cole Gibler replaced Gaeckle in the weekend rotation during the last four SEC series. He is 1-2 with a 5.66 ERA in that span, but the ERA ballooned after Gibler allowed seven earned runs against the Rebels on Saturday, May 2.
Van Horn told reporters that if he was making a decision on Monday, his weekend rotation would be Hunter Dietz and two TBA designations.
"To us, we just have to go win a game. Let’s just win one and then we’ll move on to the next one. Maybe we can out-hit you that game," Van Horn said. "I’m good with Gibler pitching and starting, but if we need to use him before Game 2 or 3, we’re going to use him. Same with Gaeckle."
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas baseball pitcher Carson Wiggins likely out for 2026 season
Continue reading...
