Hellerball: Pitcher C.J. Eldred Out For Season After Undergoing UCL Surgery

After being sidelined for a few starts for what was considered to be a sore forearm, Iowa starter C.J. Eldred will miss the remainder of the season after the team discovered that his injury was more serious than initially believed. The junior recently underwent surgery to his ulnar collateral ligament, which is located in the elbow.

Eldred is expected to have to go through about seven or eight months of rehab after completing the surgery, which should put the right-hander well ahead of schedule to pitch again in 2018.

In his one start of 2017, Eldred pitched six innings, allowing one run on three hits and no walks. In his career, he is 3-8 with a 3.32 ERA over 15 starts. He threw two complete games in 2016 on his way to leading the Hawkeyes in innings pitched.

This furthers Iowa’s pitching troubles as they’ve been unable to find consistent starting pitching this season outside of Friday starter Nick Gallagher. Eldred was originally the team’s Saturday starter, but Cole McDonald has been taking over those duties in the wake of his injury. It appears as though McDonald has inside track to becoming the Saturday starter, but it only furthers the question of who will pitch on Sundays and weekday games.

Best of luck to Mr. Eldred in his rehab, and we look forward to seeing him back on the mound next season!