Taccolini sidelined by arm soreness

Arkansas pitcher Dominic Taccolini reacts after issuing a walk during the seventh inning of a game against Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Fayetteville.
Arkansas pitcher Dominic Taccolini reacts after issuing a walk during the seventh inning of a game against Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas Razorbacks senior right-hander Dominic Taccolini did’t pitch at Auburn last weekend because of arm soreness, Coach Dave Van Horn said.

“His arm’s bothering arm,” Van Horn said. “He’s having some soreness in on the top of his forearm. Kind of a little strain there.

“We didn’t know he was having a problem with it when we went on the trip. That was frustrating for him and frustrating for us.”

Van Horn said Taccolini’s status is uncertain for this weekend’s series against Ole Miss, which starts Thursday night at Baum Stadium.

Taccolini (3-0, 4.99 ERA) definitely won’t pitch against Kansas State tonight, Van Horn said, when the No. 14 Razorbacks (32-9) play the Wildcats (21-19) at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

Taccolini has pitched 30 2/3 innings with 34 strikeouts and 16 walks in 13 games, including 2 starts.

“He needs to come in and get his treatment,” Van Horn said. “We’ll see if he’s better for this weekend. If he’s not, then we’ll put somebody else on the roster.”

Taccolini’s questionable status adds to concern over the pitching staff after Arkansas starters Blaine Knight, Trevor Stephan and Josh Alberius combined to go 5 1/3 innings at Auburn, where the Razorbacks lost 15-2, won 7-3 and lost 11-6.

“We’ve just to do a better job of starting ballgames,” Van Horn said. “I feel very fortunate to have won a ballgame with that type of starting pitching.

“We’ve got to get it going on that end, and if we do, we’ll be fine. If we don’t, we’re going to have to regroup and figure something out.”

Knight (6-2, 3.18 ERA) allowed 7 earned runs against Auburn (7) in 2 1/3 innings after allowing 5 earned runs in 33 innings in 5 previous SEC starts.

Van Horn said Knight is fine physically.

“He just wasn’t locating his fastball,” Van Horn said. “Everything was belt high and they hit it.”

Freshman Kevin Kopps (2-0, 3.99 ERA) probably will start for Arkansas tonight, Van Horn said. Pitchers who also could be could be used tonight include Barrett Loseke, Matt Cronin and Weston Rogers among others.

“We’ll definitely mix it up with such a quick turnover between conference games,” he said. “You’ll see a little bit of a lot of guys.

“We’re going to need a couple guys who don’t pitch much to step up and give us a few innings.”

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