Luensmann learns patience in long road back from Tommy John surgery

Nebraska's Chad Luensmann throws a pitch against Iowa in 2017.But now that the junior pitcher is nearly back to full health after Tommy John surgery kept him out for all of last season, he's ready to return to the form that made him the 2016 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

"Usually when (a pitcher) comes back for their first live outing (after an injury), we'll clap for them to welcome them back," Nebraska coach Darin Erstad said Tuesday. "When I saw foam out the side of his mouth, he kind of scared me, so I just kind of stayed back and didn't say anything."

Erstad was joking. Maybe. But it showed Luensmann's desire to return and contribute to a team that badly missed his talents last year…