When Randy Labaut underwent surgery in March for compartment syndrome, Arizona Wildcats coach Jay Johnson ruled the left-handed pitcher out for the year.
But Labaut held out hope that he could come back for the tail end of the 2018 season. That hope is on the verge of becoming a reality.
Labaut has been medically cleared to play and would have been the next pitcher in against Arizona State on Saturday had Arizona not ended the game with a run in the bottom of the 11th inning.
Labaut is expected to be available for Arizona’s final regular-season series, which starts Thursday at Oregon.
“If the situation is right,” Johnson said Monday, “we’ll use him.”
Labaut underwent emergency surgery for compartment syndrome in his left leg on March 18, one day after he pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings at Washington. He had a second procedure three days later.
Compartment syndrome is a condition that occurs when excessive pressure builds within certain muscles. If untreated, it can cause permanent damage.
Labaut, a redshirt sophomore, had established himself as perhaps the Wildcats’ most consistent starter. He was 1-1 with a 1.71 ERA in seven appearances, including five starts, at the time the injury occurred.
Labaut threw two bullpen sessions last week and will throw another this week before Arizona leaves for Eugene. If Labaut pitches against the Ducks, more than two months will have passed since the initial issue arose.
“We’ve been given enough information as far as that particular injury that it will not be hurt worse by pitching,” Johnson said. “We have to this point erred on the side of caution. We probably could have put him in at Cal (May 11-13). We’ve gone two more weeks. For me, it’s been more about ensuring that his arm is in shape and taken care of and he’s ready to go. His leg has progressed amazingly well.”
Arizona (32-21, 12-15 Pac-12) is sitting squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble and is in must-win mode the rest of the season. The Wildcats might need to sweep the Ducks to make the tournament.
If Labaut is able to be a part of that, his teammates will be thrilled.
“It’s possible,” said catcher Cesar Salazar, one of Labaut’s close friends. “If the right situation comes, he’s gonna come in. I’m going to be really excited if I get to catch him again.”
