FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas pitcher Keaton McKinney will likely be cleared to pitch by the start of the Razorbacks' 2016 season.
McKinney underwent hip surgery in July and did not pitch during Arkansas' fall practice season. The sophomore right-hander is scheduled to visit his surgeon in Nashville, Tennessee, this weekend.
"Hopefully that evaluation goes well and he hears what he wants to hear, that he's right on track or ahead of schedule," Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said.
"I think that he will be ready, but not ready in the role that we see him at, which is a conference starter."
McKinney was 6-2 and had a 3.21 ERA in a team-high 87 innings pitched last season. He was the only SEC freshman to throw two complete games.
He is one of three Arkansas pitchers rehabbing from injuries this fall. Juniors Dominic Taccolini (blood clot) and James Teague (elbow) are expected to be 100 percent by the time the season begins.
"Those were three of the guys that kind of carried us last year," junior pitcher Zach Jackson said. "Having them back is going to be huge."