Oregon pitcher Isaac Ayon expected to return from injury before end of regular season
In addition to the positive news regarding the health status of ace right-hander Jace Stoffal, Oregon’s coaching staff remains optimistic that one of the program’s other top arms could soon make a healthy return, too.
Isaac Ayon, who was projected to open the season as the Ducks’ Friday starter, has not pitched an inning this season due to injury.
While meeting with reporters on Wednesday, head coach Mark Wasikowski hinted that Ayon could be nearing his return to the mound.
“Every test that he’s had, he’s passed with flying colors,” Wasikowski said when asked if he anticipates Ayon pitching in one of Oregon’s final six regular season games. “Which has been great. This weekend (against Washington) is kind of a TBA; there’s a chance that he could be active this weekend. Definitly as the schedule holds for the following weekend against Utah.”
Wasikowski remains optimistic that Ayon will be able to help the Ducks on the mound in some capacity this year — although it may not be as a starter.
“The usage there, obviously when a guy is just coming back into the mix, it’s probably a pretty limited deal until he can get built up. But the good news is that it looks like worst-case scenario, he’s two weeks out versus Utah right now. Knock on wood, but maybe we even get some better news than that this coming weekend. It’s a little too early to tell.”
Last season, Ayon went 4-4 with a 5.67 ERA and 80 strikeouts over 81 1/3 innings. He began the year as Oregon’s Saturday starter and took over the Friday role after ace Adam Maier was ruled out for the season due to injury.
Ayon got progressively better as the year went on and delivered his best outing during the final start of the regular season when he tossed a complete game to lead the Ducks to a 4-3 win over No. 25 Arizona.
The 6-foot-5 junior is a veteran leader for an Oregon pitching staff that features just a handful of upperclassmen. Aside from an on-field boost, Wasikowski noted that Ayon’s return could also provide an emotional spark.
“It’s a huge boost,” Wasikowski said. “Even when he’s around the ballpark, doing defensive work and stuff like that, he’s just a massive presence. He’s a great-looking kid to start with, a great leader, tough kid. To have him and his energy out there, you can feel the other guys feeding off of it.
“So, the sooner we can get him back in the mix, the better for the morale of the club and the performance that he’s going to be able to provide us, it would be a great shot in the arm at the right time.”
The No. 24 Ducks (31-16, 14-10 Pac-12) will host Washington for a three-game series in Eugene this weekend, with Friday’s opener set for a 7 p.m. first pitch.
They will then close out the regular season with a three-game series against Utah in Salt Lake City.
