One of the Arizona Wildcats’ top pitchers is out for the season after a scary medical incident over the weekend.
Left-hander Randy Labaut remained at a Seattle hospital Wednesday after undergoing a pair of surgeries for compartment syndrome.
Labaut pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings for the UA on Saturday at Washington. Toward the end of his start, he began to feel discomfort in his left leg.
Labaut had trouble walking Sunday morning. Team trainer Isaac Trujillo suggested that Labaut get checked out. Doctors at UW Medical Center determined that he had compartment syndrome – a condition that occurs when excessive pressure builds within certain muscles. If untreated, it can cause permanent muscle or nerve damage.
“He’s going to be OK, as far as we know,” UA coach Jay Johnson said after Arizona’s 14-0 victory over New Mexico State on Tuesday.
“That’s a tough deal, not just for our team but for him. I can’t wait to have him back in ’19.”
Labaut underwent an emergency procedure Sunday morning and a second surgery Wednesday. Michael Bradshaw, Arizona’s assistant director of operations, stayed with him in Seattle. The team returned to Tucson on Sunday night.
Labaut, a redshirt sophomore from Downey, California, had emerged this season as a weekend starter for the Wildcats. In seven games, including five starts, Labaut had a 1-1 record with a 1.71 ERA. He walked only four batters in 31 2/3 innings.
“In my opinion, he’s a budding superstar,” Johnson said. “He has pitched so good for us.
“(We’re) praying for him to get better for a lot of reasons. We’re very optimistic about him returning in 2019. My goal is that he’s pitching on opening day here next year.”
