Dax Whitney
Following a dominant 2026 season, Oregon State ace Dax Whitney is set for UCL surgery. The right-hander finishes the year with a 6-1 record and 104 strikeouts.
The Oregon State Beavers received a tough blow Friday morning with the news that right-hander Dax Whitney will undergo surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow.
Whitney exited his April 23 start against Hawaii after reporting elbow tightness. The injury ends a dominant 2026 run where Whitney established himself as the centerpiece of the Beavers’ rotation and a projected top pick for the 2027 MLB Draft.
A Strong 2026 Run
The Blackfoot, Idaho, native was nearly untouchable this spring. I was able to see Dax pitch in person at the 2026 Frisco Classic, where he struck out 11 batters and allowed only three hits in six innings. While that performance was impressive, it followed an even more electric outing on Feb. 20 against Baylor, where he struck out 17.
Whitney maintained that high level of play all season, finishing with a 6-1 record in 11 starts. His final 2026 stat line includes a 2.00 ERA and a 0.952 WHIP. He recorded 104 strikeouts against just 42 hits and 18 walks, numbers that rank among the best in the country. While UCL surgery recovery often takes over a year, Whitney’s projection as a top-of-the-rotation starter keeps him in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick in 2027.
Shifting the Rotation
With Whitney out, Oregon State has to find a way to cover his production. He, Ethan Kleinschmidt, and Eric Segura had anchored the staff all year. Kleinschmidt is set to take Whitney’s spot in the order tonight against Cal State Northridge.
To fill the third starter role, the Beavers will likely look to Trey Morris or Connor Mendez. Both have handled midweek starts this season, including games against UT Rio Grande Valley this week. Mason Pike and Noah Scott also provide depth, with one start each this year.
Postseason Outlook
The timing is difficult for the Beavers’ postseason resume. After sweeping Hawaii last weekend, Oregon State rose to No. 6 in the national rankings. However, a midweek loss to UTRGV combined with the loss of their best player could drop them out of the top eight. While they still look like a lock to host a Regional in the NCAA Tournament, their path to hosting a Super Regional is now much less certain.