One injured pitcher could be making a return in time for the Clemson regional.

On Monday, head coach Erik Bakich provided the latest update on Ethan Darden, who has been out since April 12 with an injury.

“There’s a chance,” Bakich said. “We thought he would maybe even have a chance this past weekend in the ACC Tournament. But it looks like from a precautionary standpoint, one more week would best serve him.”

Darden began the season serving as the Tigers’ Saturday starter and was sporting an ERA of 2.08 heading into the Wake Forest series in late March. However, the lefty would allow six earned runs in his start against the Demon Deacons and then nine more the following week at Georgia Tech. Two weeks later, Darden was on the shelf and has not pitched since.

If Clemson can get the veteran hurler back, that would provide a boost to a pitching staff that has seen more than its share of injuries this season.

“He’s throwing off the mound already,” Bakich added. “If all progresses well, he should get the all clear. So I would say probable but not guaranteed.”

Clemson opens up regional play on Friday, with the top-seeded Tigers set to face off with fourth-seeded USC-Upstate at 6 p.m. at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The game will be televised on the ACC Network.