FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas right-hander Brady Tygart threw 20 pitches and one scoreless inning in his return to the mound Friday.
Tygart pitched in a game for the first time in 58 days, since he sprained his ulnar collateral ligament during a game against Illinois State on March 1. He induced three groundouts and worked around a two-out walk in the first start of his collegiate career.
He did not factor into the decision as the Razorbacks defeated Texas A&M 10-4.
“I felt great,” Tygart said. “I felt like I still didn't have best stuff today. I definitely have stuff to work on, but it felt good getting back on the field.”
The plan was for Tygart to throw “one good inning or whatever he’s got,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said before the game on the Razorback Sports Network.
Tygart had thrown “some good bullpens” in the weeks leading up to his return, Van Horn said. He consistently threw his fastball in the low 90s and touched 94 mph, according to the in-stadium radar gun.
“I just wanted to see him go out there and compete and get his feet wet again, and kind of give us a little bit of hope, honestly,” Van Horn said. “Next week maybe we can get to three [innings]. Maybe we’ll go 35 pitches or something. We’ll see how it goes.”
Tygart’s return provided an emotional lift for a pitching staff that has been thinned by other injuries.
“It’s huge to add another arm out there for our staff,” said Will McEntire, who pitched 5 2/3 innings in relief of Tygart. “He’s going to make big contributions down the line.”
Tygart said the rehab process has been tough and that his nearly two months away felt longer than an offseason.
“I’m just very grateful for our staff and everybody working hard to get me back,” Tygart said. “It felt really good to be back out there.”