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FAYETTEVILLE — The original plan when Aiden Jimenez transferred from Oregon State to Arkansas baseball last summer was to get the redshirt sophomore ready for 2026.
Now, the No. 1 Razorbacks (31-3) won't go a weekend without using their top righty option out of the bullpen.
Jimenez underwent Tommy John surgery on March 5, 2024. About 11 months later, he made his Arkansas debut in the night cap of an Opening Day doubleheader. Since then, he's upped his velocity and appeared more comfortable with every appearance, slowly drifting toward the type of stuff he displayed as a freshman in 2023 with the Beavers.
Getting back on the mound in less than a year has wowed Jimenez's teammates and coaches, so the Southwest Times Record spoke with Arkansas baseball athletic trainer Corey Wood this month about his speedy recovery and how Jimenez was able to become a key fiure for the top-ranked team in America.
"There was never a thought that he wasn’t going to throw this season, but if it didn’t happen it wasn’t going to be the end of the world for him," Wood said. "From the second he got here he attacked his rehab and never had a setback. We felt good every step of the way."
More: Arkansas baseball vs Arkansas State final score: Hogs top Red Wolves in midweek action.
More: Canadian power at the top: Charles Davalan sparks Arkansas baseball's offensive surge
Jimenez arrived on campus on July 1. According to Wood, the pitcher was behind on his rehab schedule and surprised that he should be further along.
But Jimenez had all the physical tools to expedite the process. Wood said one of the biggest concerns for a pitcher coming off Tommy John is his range of motion, but Jimenez almost had 'too much' mobility. That allowed the staff to focus on the weight room and maximizing his strong build. Dave Van Horn highlighted Jimenez strength multiple times in the preseason.
It started with a simple push-up routine, but after four weeks, Jimenez was in the weight room. He started playing catch again on Aug. 5, and the progression continued to amplify. Jimenez began throwing off a mound in November and then faced live hitters in January.
Jimenez allowed two runs in two innings across his first two outings, but he's turned into a dominant force out of the bullpen. He's allowed one earned run and struck out 21 batters his last 17⅓ innings.
"When you say someone’s back in 10-to-12 months, that’s always the target to just get back on the mound," Wood said. "They’re not going to be crisp and they might not be able to get guys out. Sometimes it takes people 16 months. Aiden's starting to feel like his old self now, and it's still only been 13 months."
Jimenez's old self is a five-pitch arsenal with devastating tilt from the right side. He throws three different fastballs — including a cutter — to go along with a slider and splitfinger changeup.
He's able to locate all five pitches, with two walks complimenting his 3-0 record and 1.42 ERA.
"I’m just trying to throw the least amount of pitches as possible," Jimenez said. "I’m trying to go right at them. See what they’ve got and give them my best shot every pitch.”
Jimenez dominance has elevated the pitching staff's ceiling. Christian Foutch has struggled out of the bullpen, while Parker Coil and Gage Wood are currently dealing with injuries. Jimenez has covered up those cracks as a capable multi-inning option out of the bullpen. His lone save of the year was a three-inning appearance against Ole Miss on March 15.
The final step is building Jimenez up back into a starter. He still hasn't thrown more than 57 pitches in a game this year and needs more time building stamina to move into the rotation.
But that's the furthest thing from Jimenez's mind. After pitching in a win over Vanderbilt, Jimenez said he's only focused on doing whatever his team needs and transitioning to a starter could wait until he turns pro.
"He’s not concerned with being a closer or being a starter," Van Horn said. "He just wants to get better and help the team win, and that’s exactly what he’s done."
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Aiden Jimenez's quick recovery from Tommy John boosts Arkansas baseball bullpen
Continue reading...
Now, the No. 1 Razorbacks (31-3) won't go a weekend without using their top righty option out of the bullpen.
Jimenez underwent Tommy John surgery on March 5, 2024. About 11 months later, he made his Arkansas debut in the night cap of an Opening Day doubleheader. Since then, he's upped his velocity and appeared more comfortable with every appearance, slowly drifting toward the type of stuff he displayed as a freshman in 2023 with the Beavers.
Getting back on the mound in less than a year has wowed Jimenez's teammates and coaches, so the Southwest Times Record spoke with Arkansas baseball athletic trainer Corey Wood this month about his speedy recovery and how Jimenez was able to become a key fiure for the top-ranked team in America.
"There was never a thought that he wasn’t going to throw this season, but if it didn’t happen it wasn’t going to be the end of the world for him," Wood said. "From the second he got here he attacked his rehab and never had a setback. We felt good every step of the way."
More: Arkansas baseball vs Arkansas State final score: Hogs top Red Wolves in midweek action.
More: Canadian power at the top: Charles Davalan sparks Arkansas baseball's offensive surge
Jimenez arrived on campus on July 1. According to Wood, the pitcher was behind on his rehab schedule and surprised that he should be further along.
But Jimenez had all the physical tools to expedite the process. Wood said one of the biggest concerns for a pitcher coming off Tommy John is his range of motion, but Jimenez almost had 'too much' mobility. That allowed the staff to focus on the weight room and maximizing his strong build. Dave Van Horn highlighted Jimenez strength multiple times in the preseason.
It started with a simple push-up routine, but after four weeks, Jimenez was in the weight room. He started playing catch again on Aug. 5, and the progression continued to amplify. Jimenez began throwing off a mound in November and then faced live hitters in January.
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Jimenez allowed two runs in two innings across his first two outings, but he's turned into a dominant force out of the bullpen. He's allowed one earned run and struck out 21 batters his last 17⅓ innings.
"When you say someone’s back in 10-to-12 months, that’s always the target to just get back on the mound," Wood said. "They’re not going to be crisp and they might not be able to get guys out. Sometimes it takes people 16 months. Aiden's starting to feel like his old self now, and it's still only been 13 months."
Jimenez's old self is a five-pitch arsenal with devastating tilt from the right side. He throws three different fastballs — including a cutter — to go along with a slider and splitfinger changeup.
He's able to locate all five pitches, with two walks complimenting his 3-0 record and 1.42 ERA.
"I’m just trying to throw the least amount of pitches as possible," Jimenez said. "I’m trying to go right at them. See what they’ve got and give them my best shot every pitch.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Jimenez dominance has elevated the pitching staff's ceiling. Christian Foutch has struggled out of the bullpen, while Parker Coil and Gage Wood are currently dealing with injuries. Jimenez has covered up those cracks as a capable multi-inning option out of the bullpen. His lone save of the year was a three-inning appearance against Ole Miss on March 15.
The final step is building Jimenez up back into a starter. He still hasn't thrown more than 57 pitches in a game this year and needs more time building stamina to move into the rotation.
But that's the furthest thing from Jimenez's mind. After pitching in a win over Vanderbilt, Jimenez said he's only focused on doing whatever his team needs and transitioning to a starter could wait until he turns pro.
"He’s not concerned with being a closer or being a starter," Van Horn said. "He just wants to get better and help the team win, and that’s exactly what he’s done."
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Aiden Jimenez's quick recovery from Tommy John boosts Arkansas baseball bullpen
Continue reading...
