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It's been up in the air for the past few weeks, but Mathew Troupe made it official today that he will miss the remainder of the 2014 season after he undergoes Tommy John surgery.
Sad to say tht I will miss 2014 season due to TJ surgery. For those who knew situation knew I gave it 100% to get back on field with my boys
— Mathew Troupe (@MathewTroupe) February 26, 2014
I dnt even need to wish the boys luck cause they don't need such thing. We are ready to win the PAC and make a run to Omaha and I'm happy to
— Mathew Troupe (@MathewTroupe) February 26, 2014
Say that I will continue to be a leader to each and every player on the team. More than excited and anxious to get back on the field in 2015
— Mathew Troupe (@MathewTroupe) February 26, 2014
And not even skip a beat ! Thank you to all family n friends for their tireless love n support,but no need to worry. Will be back stronger!
— Mathew Troupe (@MathewTroupe) February 26, 2014
Troupe is eligible for the MLB Draft this year, so it'll be interesting to see if he returns to Tucson for the 2015 season. The junior right-hander has 15 saves in his Wildcat career, including being the guy on the mound when the 2012 National Championship was clinched on the fly-ball to Robert Refsnyder.
In 55 career appearances, Troupe has posted a 3.92 career ERA and a 12-1 record to go with those 15 saves. He was looking to make the transition from closer to weekend starter this year, but the elbow discomfort led to a light workload in January and February.
When he did finally make a start this year for the first Utah Valley game, he lasted just 1 2/3 innings, giving up six earned runs. That right there should be the greatest indication of just how far he was from his normal self. In each of his first two seasons, he gave up just 14 earned runs. Almost halfway there after one week? Tough break.
While Andy Lopez was banking on Troupe stepping up to be the Saturday guy, junior college transfer Cody Hamlin has shown in his first two starts as a Wildcat that he is more than up to the task.
Troupe's a great guy, and I hope that he'll be around next year, and I'm sure he'll be around the team for the rest of this season once the surgery is complete. He joins Jackson Willeford in the Tommy John club. Willeford played in eight games last season, and will probably not see anytime this season due to his own elbow issues. He is currently swinging a bat, but can not throw at all yet.
Here's to hoping for a #TroupeTime return in 2015!