Last fall, University of Utah pitcher Andre Jackson was on the mound when he suddenly felt his elbow pop. The strong-throwing righty — who had never been troubled by an injury before — knew that a feeling like that was not something to ignore. MRIs revealed that Jackson had torn his ulnar collateral ligament, and Tommy John surgery would be needed. Jackson underwent surgery in November, but due to the extensive recovery process he would have to redshirt the 2017 season and watch his team compete from the dugout.
“It sucks not playing,” Jackson said. “I handled it okay I think.