Better than before? FMU’s Jordan set for return to the mound

FLORENCE, S.C. – Robbie Jordan couldn’t help but count the days.

Not so much to think about the season he lost, but the one he’s more than anxious to get started.

Jordan, the former Florence Christian School standout, hasn’t donned the red, white and blue for Francis Marion University in a live game since May 6, 2023, in the Conference Carolinas Tournament against UNC Pembroke.

The right-hander was supposed to be one of the anchors of the Patriots’ staff in 2024, but that all fell apart just before the season began as pain in his elbow eventually led to Tommy John surgery and a long recovery process.

“I was thinking about the amount of days – I think it’s been about six hundred (and) thirty-something days since I pitched in a Patriot uniform,” Jordan said earlier this week. “So, I’m just anxious to get back out there and compete.”

FMU’s opening three-game series kicks off at 4 p.m. Friday at home against Tusculum, and Jordan will likely be back on the mound for the first time since the surgery in a fully competitive game next weekend.

“Oh, I can’t wait,” he said. “Still counting down the days until I get to do that, and it’s coming soon. I know it will be a really cool experience. I know it’s at home so all of my family will be out here; I know I’ll have a few friends out here.

“Just being back out there with my teammates…it’ll be an overwhelming experience that I can’t wait for.”

And like many pitchers who have undergone Tommy John surgery, both Jordan and first-year FMU coach Jeff Jefferson believe the best is yet to come.

RECOVERY ROAD

It was two weeks prior to the start of the 2024 campaign when Jordan realized he could not dismiss the pain in his elbow any longer.

“It had kind of been bothering me a little bit, but one of those things you feel like you need to push through,” he said. “…A couple weeks before the season started, I was throwing a bullpen and I just had to stop. I couldn’t do it anymore.”

After having it evaluated, surgery was the best option, and Jordan was face to face with the reality that his season was over.

“My mentality going into it (was), ‘I’m not the first one that’s had the surgery, I’m not going to be the last one that’s had the surgery,’” he said. “…You can do all the research you want, there’s obviously never any guarantees that you’ll be back as good as you were.

“But I was in really good hands with my doctor and the physical therapist I went to. I was pretty confident in them that I would be back just as good as I was or stronger.”

ACCELERATED TIMELINE

Jordan’s surgery was in February of last year, and he began throwing again around Dec. 5, he said.

“Very far ahead of his rehab when I got here, which was a good thing,” Jefferson said. “As far as taking care of himself, he’s done an extremely good job of that. He’s worked extremely hard in the weight room; he’s taken very good care of his body.

“His throwing has been…I mean I joke with him and I told him it was probably the best rehab I’ve ever seen of a guy coming off Tommy John.”

Part of the reason was Jordan’s dedication to his rehab, yes, but also a somewhat new technique that’s being implemented. Aside from the full Tommy John reconstruction surgery, an internal brace – a collagen coated tape stitch that is added to the ulnar collateral ligament – was used as well.

“I was one of the earlier ones to get it,” Jordan said of the procedure. “…It’s supposed to promote healing and also give you extra stability from here on out.”

There were certain tests that Jordan had to pass in order to advance to the next phase of his recovery, and he kept hitting the right strength marks every time – moving the timeline up from over a year to around 10 months.

BACK ON THE MOUND

After throwing again for the first time in December, it wasn’t long before Jordan progressed to throwing off a mound and then pitching to live batters again.

“A lot of emotions,” he said. “I didn’t know how I was going to feel getting back on the mound. Throwing down a slope is way different than throwing on flat ground. A lot more stress on the arm.

“…I was a little anxious; a little nervous to see how it was. But once I threw that first pitch and realized my arm was OK and everybody around you telling you that your arm is fully healthy and you can let it go, that really helps as well.”

Throwing against hitters got the competitive juices flowing again, Jordan said, even though the first couple outings did not yield great results.

“I had to get the cobwebs off,” he said laughing. “But after that, it started going good again. I feel happy to be back out there and blessed be back out there so soon.”

NEW ARSENAL

Jefferson knew what Jordan brought to the table from his time as an assistant with UNC Pembroke.

“Two years ago, I thought Robbie was probably a top-three arm in the league,” he said. “He did very well against us in the conference tournament.

“I had very high expectations for him. What he is is a true competitor, and he’s got really good stuff. So, we’re extremely excited about him.”

And so far, Jordan has bounced back in a big way from the surgery.

“The arm strength was really good to start with,” Jefferson said. “…He’s been 88-92 (mph) as far as his fastball velocity. He’s always had a really good changeup – that’s been kind of his bread and butter for just what he (does). He’s developed a cutter, which has been a pretty good offering for him since he started throwing it.”

In fact, Jordan’s pitching arsenal has undergone a shakeup since he was last on the mound. The fastball and changeup are still there, but there’s been a couple switches in terms of his other offspeed offerings.

“Previously I had a slider and curverball, a true curveball,” Jordan said. “Those weren’t quite getting it done whenever I got back – those weren’t quite as sharp. With my arm angle, we moved to trying to throw a cutter and a slurve, which is kind of a mix between a slider and curveball. Those have been really successful.

“So we’ve been working on a new repertoire to try and fool the hitters even more, so I’m excited about that.”