Arizona baseball: Closer Tony Pluta expected to return in 2027 following elbow surgery

Jun 15, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; Arizona Wildcats pitcher Tony Pluta (37) throws against the Louisville Cardinals during the eighth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

Last month during a pregame ceremony, Tony Pluta was inducted into the Legends Plaza Wall of Fame located inside Hi Corbett Field. The placard that went up lists 2023-25, the seasons Pluta has played for Arizona.

But if things go as hoped, that banner will need to get updated.

Pluta confirmed Wednesday he plans to return to the Wildcats for the 2027 season after being shut down this spring due to an elbow injury.

“Obviously it all depends on the (MLB) draft, but obviously that’s a long shot,” Pluta said. “But my intention is coming back here next year.”

The reigning NCBWA Stopper of the Year, Pluta set the UA single-season record with 14 saves in 2025. That included closing out Arizona’s 4-3 win at North Carolina in the Super Regionals to secure a trip to the College World Series.

Undrafted last July, Pluta returned for his senior year and was expected to again be the Wildcats’ closer before it was announced in February he would undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery to repair a torn UCL. He said he felt a pop during an outing in preseason practice in mid-January.

Since then Pluta has served as an unofficial bullpen coach, helping prepare both starting pitchers before games and relievers during.

“I knew it sucked that I wasn’t gonna be able to play, but I was really happy that the coaches let me stick around and keep mentoring the guys a little bit,” he said. “That was the silver lining for everything. I didn’t directly ask for it, but we had a need for it. It was just kind of a good opportunity for me to stick around and do something positive for the team.”

Set to graduate next month with a degree in aerospace engineering, Pluta said his recovery timeline will have him start throwing in the summer. If he remains on track he would be fully cleared for “unrestricted” throwing on Feb. 12, 2026, exactly a year after his surgery.

The 2027 season is expected to begin a week later. Pluta is 13 saves behind Jason Stoffel for the UA career record (29).