These days, a pitcher returning to perform well after Tommy John surgery is fairly routine.
However, to do it as quickly as South Alabama's Nick DeSantis has this season is highly unusual. A little more than 11 months after going under the knife, DeSantis is back and throwing better than ever for the Jaguars, who are 9-8 this season and open Sun Belt Conference play Friday night at home against Louisiana-Monroe.
In six innings spread over three appearances this year, DeSantis has not allowed a run and just three base-runners on two singles and a walk. He has picked up a pair of victories out of the bullpen, including a 3 1/3-inning stint last Saturday at Louisiana-Lafayette.