Chase Shores is set to return to the mound for LSU baseball after recovering from Tommy John surgery, having missed a season and a half. Although he was nearly ready to pitch last summer, LSU’s early elimination in the Chapel Hill Regional delayed his return until this fall. Shores credits coach Jay Johnson and the staff for prioritizing his health during his recovery.
Since the end of last season, Shores has thrown in bullpens and faced hitters twice, while spending an additional six and a half weeks building up for fall scrimmages. His fastball has returned to its mid-to-upper 90s velocity, but he’s worked harder to regain feel for his changeup and slider, especially the latter, which could be crucial due to his lower-arm slot. Strengthening his arm and shoulder—key areas weakened before his injury—has been another focus.
Now, Shores is poised to become a leader on LSU’s pitching staff. Formerly a top reliever as a freshman, he’s evolved into a potential ace with the departure of key pitchers like Paul Skenes and Ty Floyd. In fall scrimmages, he’ll continue experimenting with his pitch mix as he prepares for the upcoming season, where he aims to live up to his potential as LSU’s standout pitcher.
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