OTF Premium Baseball: Three key arms are officially back for 2026 (Wednesday, 5 p.m.)

[Jeff Howe]

Blake reported this a while back and we’ve been mentioning it when talking about the Texas pitching staff in 2026, but it’s official (per Kendall Rogers) that the Longhorns are welcoming back Max Grubbs, Luke Harrison and Ruger Riojas for the 2026 season.

The plan is for Harrison to be back in the Saturday role next season.

***
 

UPDATE: The return of Grubbs, Harrison and Riojas is officially official

 

[AndyLufkin]

I like it. Thanks, Jeff.

[UTexas]

Huge to get those 3 arms back. 

[TexasFubar]

Huge news 🤘🏼

[Longhornfrenzy]

Awesome!🤘🏼

[Jeff Howe]

What will be interesting is how the staff uses Riojas next season.

We mentioned leading up to the season how Schloss and Max Weiner envisioned utilizing Ruger the way they used Evan Aschenbeck at A&M, which is to say he was a true stopper.

However, the lack of a reliable No. 3 starter forced Ruger into the rotation and Jared Spencer’s injury kept him there.

[hdzy1]

28 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

What will be interesting is how the staff uses Riojas next season.

We mentioned leading up to the season how Schloss and Max Weiner envisioned utilizing Ruger the way they used Evan Aschenbeck at A&M, which is to say he was a true stopper.

However, the lack of a reliable No. 3 starter forced Ruger into the rotation and Jared Spencer’s injury kept him there.

@Jeff Howe Are we done in the portal?

[Jeff Howe]

3 minutes ago, hdzy1 said:

@Jeff Howe Are we done in the portal?

No, but the immediate priority is the upcoming draft.

[jkates]

Excellent confirmation! Those guys can shove.

[.45s]

Great to get three seasoned arms back.  Hopefully Riojas get those late season bugs out of his system that caused him to pitch poorly relative to how well he did early on.  If it was injury related let's hope the healing is complete or will be soon.

[Jeff Howe]

 

[.45s]

6 hours ago, Jeff Howe said:

What will be interesting is how the staff uses Riojas next season.

We mentioned leading up to the season how Schloss and Max Weiner envisioned utilizing Ruger the way they used Evan Aschenbeck at A&M, which is to say he was a true stopper.

However, the lack of a reliable No. 3 starter forced Ruger into the rotation and Jared Spencer’s injury kept him there.

I remember the "plan" for Riojas.   Perhaps he is not really a starter but he sure had issues the last part of the season.  I think Schloss and Wiener will have a better idea this year as to whether he can serve the same kind of role that Ashenbeck did or not.

[Dylan J]

Let’s go🤘🤘

[Hashtag]

8 hours ago, Jeff Howe said:

No, but the immediate priority is the upcoming draft.

What’s the date and when should we know about the status of the incoming freshmen. 

[Realist Horn]

Will Volantis get a chance as a weekend starter? 

[Jeff Howe]

2 hours ago, Realist Horn said:

Will Volantis get a chance as a weekend starter? 

Yes. He could be the Friday guy.

[Jeff Howe]

10 hours ago, Hashtag said:

What’s the date and when should we know about the status of the incoming freshmen. 

The draft starts on Monday. The signing deadline is Aug. 1.

[Jeff Howe]

17 hours ago, .45s said:

Great to get three seasoned arms back.  Hopefully Riojas get those late season bugs out of his system that caused him to pitch poorly relative to how well he did early on.  If it was injury related let's hope the healing is complete or will be soon.

I don’t believe it was injury related. I think he just ran out of gas.

[.45s]

1 hour ago, Jeff Howe said:

I don’t believe it was injury related. I think he just ran out of gas.

If so. let's put that boy on some premium gasoline.  😅    Riojas could serve a great role and we need him in tip top shape. May they should send him over to Torre Becton and get him on a running program.

[NBHorn64]

I have said this before and wanted to say it again. What is with Baseball and the old school porn mustaches!!!

[Jeff Howe]

1 hour ago, NBHorn64 said:

I have said this before and wanted to say it again. What is with Baseball and the old school porn mustaches!!!

It's a trend that's growing on me.

[NoDakHornsFan]

Rerick to ou….. North Dakota fails me once again.. @Joe Zura Schloss may have to target your Dakota for now on.

[Austalgia]

Jason Flores and Bing back? 

[Jeff Howe]

2 hours ago, Austalgia said:

Jason Flores and Bing back? 

Yes. High hopes for Flores.

[Jeff Howe]

2 hours ago, NoDakHornsFan said:

Rerick to ou….. North Dakota fails me once again.. @Joe Zura Schloss may have to target your Dakota for now on.

That one hurt.