After an injury suffered on April 2 against conference rival Saint Leo sidelined him, University of Tampa pitcher Sean Bierman is on pace to make his return to the pitching staff in time for the postseason, according to the Spartans’ Head Coach Joe Urso.
Bierman, who could only get through two full innings during that April 2 start, has been dealing with elbow tendinitis ever since.
Urso said he was glad to hear that Bierman was only suffering from tendinitis, and not something more severe.
“Everything has confirmed that it’s only tendinitis, which is very good because you always worry when you’re dealing with an elbow injury,” Urso said.
Bierman explained that the most he can do to recover from the injury is rehabilitation and rest for his elbow.
“Pretty much the only thing I can do is rest it and rehab it until it feels good,” Bierman said.
With a 2.61 ERA and a 4-1 record through 31 innings, Bierman’s return to the rotation will be something more to look forward to as the Spartans make a run for the National Championship.
“He was throwing real well there for a while, so [it’ll] be huge to have him back,” said teammate Mike Schwartz.
Throwing for the first time on Monday, April 19, Bierman did not experience any pain. Urso said that while Bierman will not take the mound this weekend in a crucial series versus Sunshine State Conference rival Florida Southern, Bierman is expected to be ready for the regional tournament which begins May 13.
In the meantime, Urso said he is pleased with Bierman’s replacement in the starting rotation, junior John Wiedenbauer, who will again take the mound on Friday night against the Florida Southern Mocs.
“While [Bierman’s] been gone, John Wiedenbauer has stepped into that role and has been tremendous for us,” Urso said.