Van Horn reports healthy roster as Arkansas gets ready for fall scrimmages

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As Arkansas baseball gears up for fall scrimmages this weekend, longtime coach Dave Van Horn offered a measured health report, signaling mostly positive headlines for the Razorbacks.

The team is scheduled to face Little Rock on Friday and Dallas Baptist on Saturday, with nine-inning scrimmages paced to promote flexibility and evaluation.

Van Horn said the matchups will serve as developmental benchmarks and health checks as the Razorbacks begin forming the foundation of their 2026 roster.

Van Horn emphasized controlled intensity, with free substitutions and cautious workloads for returning players.

“If someone has an injury or, for example, say one of your hitters has a little bit of a hamstring issue, if he gets on base, you can run for him,” Van Horn said. “Free substitution, whatever.”

He confirmed that Arkansas’ presumed ace, Gabe Gaeckle, will not throw during the fall scrimmages. Gaeckle, a freshman All-American in 2024, is working back gradually after rest from heavy postseason innings.

“He’s strong right now, really strong,” Van Horn said. “He threw a bullpen the other day, not full speed — just slowly ramping back up.”

Infielder Nolan Souza, who missed all of last season following shoulder surgery, is also progressing.

Van Horn said Souza has been cleared for overhand throws and swings but remains limited to avoid setbacks.

Health updates show promising recovery across roster

Freshman infielder Carson Brumbaugh, who dealt with an oblique strain, is expected to return this weekend after participating in practice sessions earlier in the week.

“He practiced the last couple of days, looks like he’s going to be available,” Van Horn said, adding that coaches reduced his batting practice reps to manage fatigue.

Meanwhile, left-hander Hunter Dietz, who has battled injuries throughout his career, drew praise for his progress this fall.

“He hit 99 miles an hour the other day,” Van Horn said. “He’s been through a lot, but he’s got a real chance to help us this year.”

Van Horn added that the staff has used the offseason to evaluate throwing programs and training loads across the pitching rotation, noting that the medical and analytics teams “have done a good job keeping our guys healthy and on schedule.”

Overall, Van Horn described the team as “mostly healthy,” an encouraging sign heading into an exhibition stretch designed for experimentation and internal competition.

Arkansas to start Gibler and Fisher in weekend exhibitions

Arkansas has tentatively scheduled sophomore right-hander Cole Gibler to start against Little Rock and junior right-hander Colin Fisher against Dallas Baptist. Each is expected to throw roughly two innings, depending on pitch count and efficiency.

“They’ll probably get about two innings of work depending on pitch count,” Van Horn said. “It’s not about results right now — we just want them to get out there, compete, and get a feel again.”

The coaching staff has also agreed to expanded offensive opportunities for both teams.

“Each team will hit 10, probably,” Van Horn said. “They don’t have to, but we talked about that.”

The scrimmages will feature free substitution, allowing coaches to mix lineups, rest players recovering from injury, and experiment with defensive alignments.

Van Horn said the format creates a low-pressure environment ideal for both evaluation and conditioning.

Van Horn dismisses retirement talk, focuses on continuity

Now entering his 23rd season at Arkansas, Van Horn remains one of the most respected coaches in college baseball.

His Razorbacks have made eight College World Series appearances and produced numerous professional players and award winners.

After Arkansas’ 2025 run to Omaha, speculation surfaced about whether Van Horn might consider retirement.

The 63-year-old coach dismissed those rumors this summer, telling reporters, “I’m not retiring. I’m not going anywhere.”

Pitcher Zach Root, a key member of the 2025 rotation, said players are motivated to help Van Horn capture the one title missing from his résumé.

“It would mean the world to him,” Root said. “There’s just one last thing that’s missing from his trophy case, and we’re going to go get it for him.”

Van Horn’s return provides stability for a program that continues to recruit nationally and reload rather than rebuild. The staff’s focus this fall, he said, is “getting everybody healthy, seeing who can handle different roles, and setting a tone for January.”

Razorbacks see scrimmages as bridge to spring competition

The fall exhibitions against Little Rock and Dallas Baptist mark the first major evaluation period since the team’s postseason exit.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday at Baum-Walker Stadium.

Analysts from Just Baseball have already tabbed Arkansas among the deepest rosters in the country heading into 2026, citing balance between pitching and power hitting.

The Razorbacks return several experienced bats along with a core of underclassmen vying for roles.

Van Horn said the scrimmages are less about scoreboard outcomes and more about assessing approach, adaptability, and chemistry.

“We’re not looking to win fall games,” he said. “We’re looking to find out who can play when it counts.”

Key Takeaways

• Most of the Arkansas roster is healthy, with Gaeckle, Souza, and Brumbaugh all progressing toward full strength.

• Fall scrimmages against Little Rock and Dallas Baptist will emphasize flexibility, substitution, and limited innings for pitchers.

• Van Horn reaffirmed his long-term commitment, dismissing retirement talk as Arkansas eyes another deep postseason run.