Senior pitcher Eric Katzman getting closer to returning to form for Michigan baseball team
Eric Katzman's road to recovery has been neither short nor speed-bump free.
There have been times in recent months when the senior pitcher has felt like he's starting from scratch, re-learning many of the nuances that go into being the kind of reliable starter a Michigan baseball team contending for a Big Ten title requires.
There have been bright spots and setbacks - all part of a lengthy process following off-season hernia surgery that has kept Katzman from contributing as much as he hoped.
The ordeal, while frustrating, has been put Katzman more of a learning curve than he ever expected this late in his collegiate career. With each effort - both in game scenarios and in daily workouts - come signs Katzman is nearing the end of his rehabilitation.
"There's just so many small, little details that go into pitching," Katzman said Tuesday after improving to 3-1 in Michigan's 3-2 win over Notre Dame. "When you miss as much time as I did, you have to get back into again it's like you have to learn how to do those things all over again before you can get back to where you were."
University of Michigan starting pitcher Eric Katzman throws a pitch in the first inning against Notre Dame at Ray Fisher Stadium on April 20, 2010. U-M won, 3-2. (Mark Bialek for AnnArbor.com)
He spent long sessions with pitching coach Bob Keller, working on form and technique. His first appearance came Feb. 21 out of the bullpen against Texas Tech. He made his first start nine days later, working three scoreless innings against Eastern Michigan.
Each outing provided its own revelations. In his most recent outing before Tuesday's start, the left-hander worked five scoreless innings in relief against Toledo and picked up the win.
Katzman still isn't pitching when he wants - on weekends against Big Ten competition. Michigan coach Rich Maloney likes what he has seen, but isn't yet ready to set a definitive date for Katzman's conference debut.
"He's getting there," Maloney said. "He's going to have to be a big part of what we do, but he's also got to be ready to go."
Michigan (23-12, 6-3 Big Ten) begins a three-game home series against Iowa (14-19, 3-6) tied for first place in the league standings with Ohio State. The Wolverines have won two straight Big Ten series heading into this weekend.
Maloney's excitement surrounding Katzman's Big Ten return isn't difficult to detect. A smile breaks across his face as he talks of Katzman's progress and about a possible timeline when he may be ready to join the Big Ten weekend rotation.
"It won't be this weekend (against Iowa)," Maloney said. "But there's a chance we may be able to use him in the Ohio State series (next weekend). We'll just have to see. But he's getting closer."
Until then, Katzman takes each start in stride. Against the Irish Tuesday, Katzman - who entered the game with an earned-run average of 6.00, allowed only one earned run and four hits, striking out three.
But he also walked three and hit a batter, putting himself in a bases-loaded jam in his final inning of work before pitching out of trouble with a strikeout.
"My control still needs to be better, but I do feel like I'm getting closer," Katzman said. "I'm starting to throw more pitches when I need to have them and that's a sign that I'm getting back to where I want to be."
Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com and can be reached at (734) 623-2554 or by e-mail at jeffarnold@annarbor.com.
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Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 7:22 a.m.
Katzman has had his Big Ten debut this season -- he pitched against Indiana. But that outing is probably better best forgot.