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Karsten Whitson out for 2013 Florida baseball season, father says

Karsten Whitson's junior season with Florida is over before it even began.

By Andy Hutchins
Brad Barr, USA Today Sports

Florida pitcher Karsten Whitson will miss the 2013 baseball season after having a procedue performed by Dr. James Andrews, his family has told Perfect Game's Kendall Rogers.

Whitson was expected to be Florida's Saturday starter behind Jonathon Crawford, but news broke on Wednesday that Whitson would be sidelined indefinitely due to "continued shoulder fatigue."

Whitson's father told Rogers that Whitson had a non-surgical procedure performed, and that his recovery time is about four months. That would put Whitson close to being able to pitch in mid-June — but he is eligible for the 2013 MLB Draft, which takes place from June 6 to 8.

It is unlikely that Whitson will be selected as high as he was when the San Diego Padres took him with the No. 9 pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, before the kid from the Florida Panhandle town of Chipley opted to turn down millions to play for the Gators, and so it is possible that Whitson could return to Florida for his redshirt junior season in 2014.

Florida, which has participated in the last three College World Series, begins its 2013 season on Friday, hosting Duke. Crawford will start on Friday night, with freshman Tucker Simpson stepping into Whitson's Saturday starter role the day after.

We wish the best of luck to Whitson in his recovery and in his future, whether it lies at Florida or in the professional ranks.