FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas has the nation's top team earned run average heading into the seventh weekend of the season despite missing one of its most trusted relievers for the majority of the campaign.
Cade Lynch, a senior left-hander, hasn't pitched since March 2 and Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn said the prognosis isn't good for him to return any time soon as he continues to struggle with the effects of migraine headaches.
"I think he's kind of to the point where he doesn't know if he is going to get to pitch," Van Horn said. "It's not 100 percent, but he isn't allowed to do anything right now.
"I think just the moving around and bouncing around, and the pitching and wear and tear made the situation with the headaches (worse) and he's been informed by the doctors to shut it down for a while, and it may be for good, and that's kind of what it's looking like."
Lynch has had four major operations to relieve his headaches, which he said in the past were caused by crushed plates in the back of his neck. He and his coaches were hopeful the latest operation, performed in January, would relieve the headaches for good.
"I feel bad for him, but he is still with us and he will be throughout the year as far as on the roster," Van Horn said. "But as far as playing time, I don't know if he will get to pitch again."
Lynch was one of Arkansas' best in relief in 2012, recording a 2.11 earned run average in 21 appearances. He wasn't able to pitch during the Razorbacks' postseason run to the College World Series, though, because of the headaches.
In an interview two years ago, Lynch said the migraines went back as far as high school. The Jonesboro native was one of the best pitchers in state history, going 38-1 as a starter and leading Valley View to consecutive state championships as a junior and senior.