David Shaw is ready for his second year of Texas baseball.

After transferring from Rice ahead of last season, Shaw immediately established himself as a reliable left-hander in the bullpen. Over 26 appearances, he went 2-2 with a 3.09 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.

But at the Big 12 Tournament in May, Shaw was forced to leave a game against Kansas State in the middle of an at-bat. His season was over. He needed elbow surgery.

Eight months later, Shaw was the first player Texas trotted out to speak with local media at the team's first availability of the season. The first game on UT's schedule is a home contest against San Diego on Feb. 16.

"I feel like mentally I'm right where I need to be. I don't feel like I've missed a beat," Shaw said. "On the physical side, there are days where it's a little stiff, normal post-op aches and pains. I'd say more often than not, I'm feeling game-ready when I roll into the ballpark any day."

Shaw had the internal brace procedure, which he described as the "least invasive" kind of Tommy John surgery. That put his return to the mound on a shorter timetable. He said that since he won't see a lot of live action before the start of the season, the looks he'll get during the team's intrasquad scrimmages will be key for his rehab process.

What kind of role will Shaw have? Texas coach David Pierce said he could be used as a long reliever. Texas might also ask him to close out games this season.

"He's reliable. He's different," Pierce said. "He's not going to allow you a big velo but creates a lot of deception and pounds the zone."

Texas alumni set to return to campus

The baseball program's annual alumni game will be Saturday afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field (2:30 p.m., LHN).

At this time last season, players such as Dylan Campbell, Eric Kennedy, Lucas Gordon, Travis Sthele and Zane Morehouse were helping Texas scrimmage against its alumni. On Saturday, those players will be in the alumni dugout.

Pitcher Bryce Elder, an MLB All-Star while pitching for the Atlanta Braves in 2023, is also among the expected attendees. Brandon Belt, Kody Clemens, Mark Payton and David Hamilton, all of whom have major league experience, should also be at the ballpark.

Texas will host an autograph session with members of its current team inside the J. Dan Brown Player Development Center from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Admission to the alumni game and parking in the East Campus garage is free.

Catching up behind the plate

When it comes to the catcher position over the past few seasons, Pierce conceded that "you get a little spoiled at times when you've got Silas Ardoin and then Garret (Guillemette)." Ardoin will be representing the Baltimore Orioles' farm system at Saturday's alumni game. Guillemette was drafted by Houston last summer.

Sophomore Rylan Galvan and redshirt junior Kimble Schuessler are the front-runners to earn the starting catcher job. Galvan hit .226 with four home runs as a backup during his freshman year. Schuessler, who joined the Longhorns in 2022 as a Texas A&M transfer and missed last season with a finger injury, has recorded 22 at-bats in his career.

Pierce said both catchers will play this spring. He also isn't worried about the offensive production at the position.

"I don't think it's a case where we have two (catchers) because neither are good," he said. "I think we have two because both are very good and offer different things. I just don't want them to worry about hitting. I need them to be great behind the plate."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas baseball team looking forward to the return of David Shaw