IN BRIEF : Baseball Star Returns to Class

John Olerud has returned to classes at Washington State University after undergoing an operation two weeks ago to repair an aneurysm near the base of his brain.

The standout baseball player has resumed light workouts to rebuild his strength but is not expected to rejoin the baseball team in the near future.

“The main thing is John is back in school and everything is going to be all right,” WSU baseball coach Bobo Brayton said. “Baseball is going to be around for quite some time, and we’re just happy that John is going to be here too.”

Olerud, a junior pitcher and first baseman who was named college baseball Player of the Year in 1988 by Baseball America magazine, is “feeling great,” according to his father, Dr. John Olerud. But the elder Olerud, a professor at the University of Washington Medical School, said it’s still not been determined yet whether his son will be able to play for the Cougars later this season.