re: UCLA Pitcher Thatcher Hurd commits to LSU

quote:

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I had this injury as a sophomore in high school. Took time off twice and came back and hurt it again. It wasn’t until then that it was properly diagnosed, and I had to shut everything down and wear a brace for about 6 months. Luckily, I never had any issues after that, and that was 25 years ago. I probably was taking way more combined non-game reps (ground balls, cage cuts, and pen pitches) than he was/is in a body less built for all the stress (16 vs. 18/19), and there’s no question he has better doctors, trainers, PTs, etc…and was likely diagnosed earlier, all that.

However, I remember how bad that shite hurt at times, and I didn’t have several million dollars at stake. I am not wishing this on him and hate to even put it in the ether, but considering his money year isn’t until ‘24 and how conservative the trend is currently to handle pitchers, I think there’s a much better than 0 chance he doesn’t pitch for us in ‘23. Not saying it’s 75, 50, 25, or even 10–what I’m saying is I hope we land the Southern Miss guy, too.

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On Mikie Mahtook's show he said that Jay Johnson told him he'll give him whatever time he needs. If he needs to take it slow, or if he needs to be pitching, he just wants him to be healthy. He also said that he took a huge step in the recovery in the last week when he started throwing a bit. He's only in the first week in a throwing program and it's going to take some time to get back on the mound pitching. He said he's just going to get stronger and keep rehabbing and he'll be in Baton Rouge in August for School. He expects to be ready to go and back to normal by the time the season starts.