A ball struck Maryland baseball right-hander Taylor Bloom on Friday before his start, resulting in a concussion, and Sunday, he still suffered concussion-like symptoms.
Light and loud noises disturbed the Terps’ top weekend starter, forcing coach Rob Vaughn and pitching coach Corey Muscara to discuss pitching options for the next week.
If the Terps started right-hander Mark DiLuia for his regular midweek outing, they would either depend on Bloom recovering quickly or be forced to use several relievers this weekend against Purdue. However, staff days haven’t yielded much success, because seven Maryland relievers have ERAs higher than five.
Because Maryland’s 3-5 conference record has it battling for a spot in the Big Ten tournament, relying on Bloom’s return was likely too big a risk. Maryland used five relievers in its 14-3 loss to VCU on Tuesday, saving DiLuia to pitch Friday.
The first-year head coach believes DiLuia offers the Terps their best chance to compete with the Boilermakers, as Big Ten success appears to be Maryland’s clearest avenue to securing a postseason spot.
“We just felt like with Bloom up in the air, our best option was to move our next best starter to the weekend,” Vaughn said. “We just need Mark to be Mark, that’s the biggest thing.”
Until DiLuia’s six-inning, one-run performance April 3 against William & Mary, he had scarcely displayed the promise that led the Texas Rangers to select him in the 38th round of the 2017 MLB draft. DiLuia’s ERA was 8.04 after he allowed two runs in three innings facing Richmond on March 27. In 28 innings to that point, he had surrendered 25 runs.
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However, two straight effective starts ensued, capped with last week’s seven-inning, one-run display against James Madison. DiLuia’s ERA is now 5.92.
Just when DiLuia became comfortable with his midweek routine, Bloom’s freak injury altered DiLuia’s preparation. Muscara called him to explain the team’s plans and push his bullpen session later in the week. The Flossmour, Illinois, native sat in the dugout Tuesday with a sweatshirt on, watching as the staff pitching in his place issued 11 walks.
Next year, DiLuia could compete for a weekend starting job. Walking to the mound Friday will offer him his first taste of that goal.
“Anxious and excited, really,” DiLuia said. “Just like any other start, I’m ready to go out there and throw. So, no matter who I’m playing — the best team in the country or the worst — I’m just out there ready to compete and have some fun.”
Bloom could pass the concussion protocol in time, and if he is cleared, Vaughn plans to use him this weekend. Friday’s outing is reserved for DiLuia, though.
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After walking a combined six batters in seven innings between two starts against Delaware, DiLuia prioritized throwing strikes. Yet against North Carolina in his next outing March 20, the new approach had an adverse effect. The Tar Heels took advantage of his inability to spot his fastball, tagging him for nine runs on 14 hits in six frames.
In his two most recent outings, though, DiLuia has walked four batters in 13 innings. He also has had more success locating his offspeed pitches, which will be essential as he attempts to supply a third consecutive quality start and position Maryland for its first series-opening win since March 2.
“For a guy that’s got all the ability in the world, he’s got to continue to trust in himself,” Vaughn said. “We need him to go out and pound the strike zone with three pitches like he does and compete for us.”
