CLEMSON — Clemson is inching closer to getting a key pitcher back.

After the third-ranked Tigers lost to Louisville 8-6 on Saturday, head coach Erik Bakich revealed that transfer Michael Gillen is getting really close to making his Clemson debut.

“He threw a bullpen (Saturday) morning,” Bakich said. “That is the last step. He pitched in a simulated game on Tuesday.”

Gillen also threw in a simulated game last week, meaning he’s thrown at least two.

Fifth-ranked Georgia is set to visit Doug Kingsmore for a midweek game on Tuesday, and Bakich intimated that Gillen could make his debut then. If not, then maybe he makes his first appearance during the Tigers’ ACC series on the road at NC State next weekend.

“We want to keep him kind of at once a week right now,” Bakich said. “So with his bullpen day being today, we could see him potentially against Georgia, possibly ready for NC State. I think he is right there. He is close. He looked good in the simulated game on Tuesday.”

Gillen was a key member of the Seton Hall bullpen over the first two seasons of his career. In 65.2 innings pitched, the right-handed hurler registered a 1.51 ERA with 70 strikeouts to just 19 walks.