Gators P Whitson sidelined with shoulder fatigue

Two days before its season opener, the Florida baseball team received a piece of sobering news as it was announced junior right-handed pitcher Karsten Whitson will be sidelined with shoulder fatigue.

“Karsten has been battling continued shoulder fatigue,” said Pat Hassell, UF baseball’s head athletic trainer . “We have pursued a conservative management plan to treat this issue. Karsten is evaluating further options at this time that will allow for a healthy and productive return to baseball.”

According to Baseball America, Whitson will be meeting with the famed Dr. James Andrews today for an evaluation.

The development is an obvious blow for the young Gators baseball team, which was undoubtedly looking to lean heavily on Whitson this season. For those who may not remember, Whitson turned down a $2.1 million offer sheet from the San Diego Padres after being drafted No. 9 overall in the 2010 MLB Draft.

Whitson had an outstanding freshman season, going 8-0 on the way to being named the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year by Perfect Game. Whitson dealt with an injury-riddled sophomore season, limiting the hard throwing righty to only 33 innings.

The injury bug didn’t stop there, as Whitson was also forced to leave his Cape Cod summer league team, the Orleans Firebirds, after only three innings pitched due to shoulder stiffness.

Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan will meet with the media later this afternoon where more details on Whitson are expected to be announced.

alex gray
A once-upon-a-time standout on the high school gridiron, Alex unfortunately learned of the inexistent market for 5-foot 10 offensive linemen, and concentrated on remaining involved with sports in some capacity. Upon finishing at the University of Florida, Alex realized his passion for writing and sought a way to combine that passion with his love of sports, thus bringing him to GC. In his spare moments, Alex enjoys spending quality time with his DVR, and is on a current quest to break 120 on the golf course.