Carson Wiggins injury update: Dave Van Horn reveals Arkansas pitcher underwent significant surgery

Dave Van Horn had some unfortunate injury news to report on Arkansas pitcher Carson Wiggins ahead of the NCAA Tournament. The Razorbacks coach revealed Monday that Wiggins had surgery on his elbow and is out for the remainder of the season.

Wiggins suffered the injury on April 27 against Florida and threw only four pitches before being taken out of the game. He missed the final three SEC regular season series as well as the conference tournament. The team carefully evaluated the injury before making sure that surgery was the best route.

“We had another MRI done on his arm and sent him to Dallas for that one,” Van Horn said. “They moved him around and did a lot of things and they felt like there was enough in there that they needed to fix it. So he had it done, his elbow, I think it was Monday. We were preparing to leave town. But back in town and feeling good and hopefully we can get him back next season.”

Wiggins was a true freshman this past season out of Roland (OK) High School. He appeared in 14 and pitched 14 innings, striking out 20 batters with only nine walks and posting a 3.21 ERA.

The loss certainly stings for the Razorbacks as Carson Wiggins had proven himself one of the team’s better relief pitchers this season. Arkansas will likely lean on Dylan Carter, Aidan Jiminez, Will McEntire and others to step up in relief with Wiggins out.

The Razorbacks are coming off of a 43-13 finish but lost their first game in the SEC Tournament against Ole Miss. They still drew the No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and will get to host a Regional and, if they advance, a Super Regional as well. Van Horn was excited about the fact to have home field advantage.

“When it’s a big game, our facility, with our fan base, and all that goes on outside the stadium, the long lines to get in the hog pen, you know, starts nights or sometimes with camping out, I just have to say it’s electric, and you have to feel it,” Van Horn said on ESPN2 on The Road to Omaha. “It started in 2004 and we got to the Super Regional, like it feels a little different. And then 2009, you know, just, man, it’s something else. …It’s an electric environment, and it’s so fun to play in. If I was a player I would love to be a part of it.”

Arkansas first draws North Dakota State at 2 p.m. CT on Friday at Baum-Walker Stadium. After that, they’ll play either Kansas or Creighton depending on the results from the first two games.