Jerzembeck of the Gamecocks will miss second season in a row

COLUMBIA — Eli Jerzembeck’s return to the mound has hit another devastating setback.

After missing the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery, the South Carolina pitcher was poised to lead the Gamecocks’ staff in 2025. However, a stress fracture in his right elbow will now sideline him for another full season, head coach Paul Mainieri announced Thursday.

Jerzembeck, once a rising star and the team’s midweek pitcher in 2023, initially suffered a torn UCL midway through that season. While Tommy John surgery has become routine for pitchers, requiring about a year of recovery, setbacks are always a possibility. After a full year of rehab and strength building, he was expected to reclaim his role as the Gamecocks’ ace in 2025, a crucial year as he approached the MLB Draft.

However, signs of trouble emerged early in preseason practice. Jerzembeck struggled in his outings, and after two weeks, Mainieri made it clear he would not be part of the team’s weekend rotation, at least to start the season. Before the opening series, Mainieri confirmed that Jerzembeck was seeking medical evaluation. Now, after South Carolina’s first five games, the diagnosis has ruled him out yet again. The pitcher is set to undergo surgery in early March.

Jerzembeck’s professional future now appears uncertain. Missing two consecutive seasons due to injury makes it unlikely that MLB teams will view him as a high draft prospect. A return to USC in 2026 seems like a strong possibility, giving him a chance to regain his form and prove himself once more.

For now, South Carolina (5-0) will continue with its current rotation of Dylan Eskew, Matthew Becker, and Jake McCoy as they prepare to host Milwaukee for a three-game series at Founders Park, beginning Friday at 4 p.m.

GET MORE RELATED CONTENTS HERE