Good news on the injury front.
Elliott Avent had positive injury news to share earlier this week, telling Pack Pride that starting pitcher Matt Willadsen and outfielder Josh Hogue both are expected to be ready when NC State opens the season next month.
Willadsen is coming off Tommy John surgery, and if he is indeed good to go, then he’s recovered about as quickly as possible. I’m sure they’ll ramp him up slowly to begin the year and probably have him on a pitch count, and if that goes well, hopefully he’ll be free of any restrictions by the time the meat of the league schedule gets here.
Hogue is coming off a freak leg injury that sidelined him during a very solid 2024 season. State had the bats to cover for his absence then but definitely will need his presence in the lineup this spring.
Opening day is three weeks from tomorrow.