FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas closer Matt Cronin might be able to pitch some this weekend against Texas A&M, but not much.
Cronin, a sophomore left-hander who hasn't pitched in a game since April 20 because of mononucleosis, would not be available until Sunday at the earliest and likely for no more than an inning. The No. 6 Razorbacks and No. 20 Aggies begin their three-game series Friday.
"If he's our best option I'll use him," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. "If the other guys have already thrown, and they probably will by then, he's the best guy. He's thrown. He's keeping his arm in shape. He just hasn't thrown it in a game against live hitters, but he knows how to do that."
Van Horn said doctors have protocol for players who are returning from mono, an illness that causes fever, headaches, sore throats, energy loss and other symptoms.
"(It has to be) a certain number of days from when he showed symptoms," Van Horn said. "He’s been trying to eat because he lost some weight at first. He’s starting to get it back and looking stronger and ready to go."
Van Horn said Cronin is keeping his arm in shape by playing catch on his own. He made the trip with the Razorbacks to LSU over the weekend and served as lookout for pitchers in the exposed bullpen on the side of the field.
Cronin has nine saves this season, including six in SEC games. He has one blown save, against Mississippi State on April 20 - his last appearance before being diagnosed - when he allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in 2 innings.
He entered the game with two outs in the sixth inning and Arkansas leading 5-3, but gave up the lead in the eighth.
"We knew his throat was hurting him, but we didn't know he had mono," Van Horn said. "I think that was a little bit of the problem. It's pretty tough to go far when you have no energy."