Texas Longhorns Pitcher Tanner Witt Likely Out Until April

The Longhorns will be down one of their key pitchers for most of the regular season.

Texas Longhorns ace Tanner Witt will receive plenty of looks from scouts at the next level when he takes the field in 2023. The question is, when will Witt be active on the mound? 

According to Longhorns manager David Pierce, Witt is "way ahead of schedule" in terms of his rehab process, but he probably won't be active for at least another two months. Witt suffered an injury to his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) last March and underwent Tommy John surgery, missing the remainder of the 2022 season. 

Pierce, who enters his sixth season with the program, said the team would be patient with Witt's rehab process and wouldn't rush him back to team drills. Even when Witt is fully healthy, his appearances are expected to be short. 

The hope for the Longhorns is that Witt will be all full speed entering May or early June. Texas once again is a favorite to make the College World Series in Omaha come early summer. 

"He wants to pitch," Pierce said during his latest media session. "I think the earliest would probably be mid-April. That would be the earliest timeline and we'll be smart with it."

Witt, a sophomore from Houston, secured a spot in UT's weekend rotation ahead of the 2022 season. In his first two appearances, he defeated Rice and Alabama, allowing two runs over 11 innings while striking out 14. He also posted a 1.64 ERA and allowed just nine hits. 

Speculation occurred that Witt could be shut down when he was scratched from his next start against UCLA at Minute Maid Park on March 6. Four days later, Texas released a statement that Witt would miss the remainder of the year and undergo surgery. 

As a freshman out of the bullpen, Witt posted a 3.21 ERA in 57 innings pitched and struck out 73 batters. He allowed 40 hits, four home runs and recorded five saves. 

Pierce said that Witt has handled the rehab process "like a pro." During the offseason, Witt was heavily involved in team workouts, even serving as a captain in the team's Fall World Series.

"I feel good. The elbow feels really good, which is a relief," Witt told the Prospects Live's 2023 MLB Draft Show. "I haven't had any problems, any setbacks, feel really strong."

For his career, Witt has posted a 7-0 record with a 2.91 ERA. In 30 games, he's struck out 87 batters and allowed 49 hits. His highlight moment came in the 2021 College World Series against Tennessee, when his 5 2/3 innings of work pushed the Longhorns forward en route to an 8-4 win. 

With Witt missing the start of the season, Pierce said the rotation would rely heavily on junior Lucas Gordon. Gordon, a native of Los Angeles, Calif., replaced Witt in the rotation last season and posted a 7-2 record with a 3.05 ERA. Gordon and Witt were both listed on the Big 12's preseason honor roll.

The final spot in the rotation could be decided between five different arms. Andre Duplantier II, Zane Morehouse and Travis Sthele, three returnees from the 2022 roster, all started at least three games last season. David Shaw, a transfer from Rice, posted a 6.57 ERA and a 2-2 record in four starts for the Owls. Charlie Hurley, a transfer from USC, finished with a 4.19 ERA in 16 appearances for the Trojans. 

The Longhorns will open the season in Arlington for the College Baseball Showdown. Texas is set to face No. 8 Arkansas, No. 10 Vanderbilt, and Missouri in a three-game round-robin set. 

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