The Clemson pitching staff is slowly but surely getting healthy.

The Tigers got freshman Brenden Bennett back a couple of weeks ago. Noah Samol was able to return to the mound last week after missing all of last season, pitching one inning in midweek action.

With those two having made their debuts, Erik Bakich is patiently waiting for two more. Freshman Talan Bell and transfer Michael Gillen.

“The next two are Talan Bell and Michael Gillen,” Bakich said. “I think Talan Bell is probably within a couple of weeks and then Michael Gillen will be shortly right after that.”

“I would say within the next few weeks, we should have four guys that are all following their progressions. Brendan Bennett is building up. He is able to go two innings now. Samol was able to go one, might be able to start working his way up. Talan and Michael will start that same thing.”

Bell was one of the top left-handed pitching prospects coming out of high school a season ago. Baseball America ranked him as the 15th-best freshman in the country during the preseason.

“Talan is probably one game-simulated outing away,” Bakich said. “Probably won’t happen this week, but we’ll see. You don’t want to rush guys. If you rush them then they could have a setback. Want to make sure once they re-enter action, they are in action the rest of the season.”

Before transferring to Clemson, Gillen was a key member of the Seton Hall bullpen over the last two seasons. In 65.2 innings pitched, Gillen registered a 1.51 ERA with 70 strikeouts to just 19 walks.

“It will be a throwing progression and a ramp-up once they get the all-clear,” Bakich said. “He won’t be able to all of a sudden go five innings. It will probably be short stints and go up from there.”

Getting those two guys will back will be a huge boost for a pitching staff that has been really good. The Tigers are currently 19-2, with the staff sporting an impressive team ERA of 3.79.

“I do know having those four guys back in the fold is going to be super-valuable.”