It appears McKinney intends to return

[FraggleHog]

Not 100% confirmed, but this Instagram Post makes it seem like he intends to...

[TebowHater]

Nice post and picture, thanks for sharing. I have heard he pretty much 100% is back but whether he pitches again for us is more up in the air.

[jry04]

Not 100% confirmed, but this Instagram Post makes it seem like he intends to...

He said he is back. As of now, DVH is saying it is 50/50 on whether he is ready in time for the season. McKinney himself said he will be ready, but I am not sure it is up to him.

[SPAL]

Sure hope he can pitch for us again. What a weapon he could be if he can regain his freshman form.

[TebowHater]

McKinney himself said he will be ready, but I am not sure it is up to him.

This is interesting. Because Koch also said the same thing. I suspect this is just players being players but I do wonder if DVH may be intentionally dampening expectations so KM doesn't try to overdo it too soon.

[BigBrandonAllenFan]

Yes!! He'll be ready.  If not he never will.

We're running on 22 inch high profile 50 spinners!

[jry04]

This is interesting. Because Koch also said the same thing. I suspect this is just players being players but I do wonder if DVH may be intentionally dampening expectations so KM doesn't try to overdo it too soon.

I think DVH is just careful with what he says since he isn't a doctor. However, he is expected to be throwing 5-6 months before the first series. Barring a set back, it isn't crazy to think he will be ready around the start of the season, or at least by SEC play. Every athlete is different, and many TJ surgeries may take 16-18 months. However, there are an increasing amount of recoveries taking 12-14 months. I believe from the time of his surgery, the start of the season would be at 13 months. FYI, I am not claiming any inside knowledge on McKinney's situation. Just going off what he has said, other players have said, and what I have seen with family friends when it comes to TJ surgery. Plus, every professional/college pitcher's TJ recovery is well documented, too.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/baseball/2017/05/09/arkansas-mckinney-road-recovery-after-tommy-john-surgery/313514001/

[dotnet]

It may be a situation where he becomes a closer next year to reduce the strain on the arm

[ucahogfan]

It may be a situation where he becomes a closer next year to reduce the strain on the arm

I could see that.  Hopefully he is at least the 92-94 that we saw him at in high school.  It would make the change play up even more than it already does.  All I know is that this staff will have a lot of guys who can run it up next year.

[BigBrandonAllenFan]

It may be a situation where he becomes a closer next year to reduce the strain on the arm

I'm like UCA.  I can see that too.

[Kevin]

I just want him back in uniform, & pitching again. if he can take the mound for the hogs, he will get a standing ovation from me where ever I am.

he took one for the team his freshman year, and I want to say thank you for that.

[Hogs49ers]

I just want him back in uniform, & pitching again. if he can take the mound for the hogs, he will get a standing ovation from me where ever I am.

he took one for the team his freshman year, and I want to say thank you for that.

How did he take one for the team?  I know about his injury and all, but I was not following that closely a couple years ago...

[Kevin]

He pitched on a bad hip  that needed major surgery that offseason. That also probably led to the tommy john surgery