Tennessee baseball is dealing with a number of bumps and bruises as it continues to work its way through the SEC slate. The two most noteworthy players dealing with injuries are right-handed pitcher AJ Russell and third baseman Billy Amick.
Russell, who has dealt with injuries throughout his sophomore season, exited Tennessee’s loss against Ole Miss on Saturday with forearm soreness. The injury comes just a week after he returned from side soreness which sidelined him for three weeks earlier in the season.
Seventh-year coach Tony Vitello didn’t have any major update on Russell but made it sound like the talented right-hander won’t be returning anytime soon.
“With AJ, kind of waiting to see what’s there,” Vitello said following the Vols’ win over Tennessee Tech Wednesday night. “I would expect, kind of maybe we went to quick or maybe we didn’t. I don’t think there’s a real answer there but maybe back to where we were where we have to let things calm down and let him rest. So I wouldn’t say we are in any kind of hurry with that or anything on the horizon for him anytime soon.”
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Amick’s injury isn’t as much of a long term concern but will almost certainly sideline him for the Vols’ weekend series against Georgia.
“With Billy, I think it will be sooner than later but with the appendix situation he had to go all of a sudden, as anyone who’s dealt with that (knows) it’s an all of a sudden thing,” Vitello said. “Went to the hospital, get things worked on for him to be available this weekend isn’t a reality but I think sometime soon after is a reality.”
The Clemson transfer has been one of Tennessee’s best players this season. The third baseman is hitting .367 with 10 home runs and 26 RBIs to this point in the season.
With Amick sidelined against Tennessee Tech on Wednesday night, freshman shortstop Dean Curley slid over and played third base while fellow freshman Ariel Antigua made his first career start at shortstop.
Tennessee baseball returns to Lindsey Nelson Stadium where they’re hosting Georgia for a three-game series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch for Friday night’s series opener is at 6:30 p.m. ET. The SEC Network+ is streaming the game.
