Tennessee Vols suddenly have a major roster hole to fill for the 2025 season
The Tennessee Vols' current focus is on the College World Series and their first game, against the Florida State Seminoles, on Friday evening in Omaha. But once the College World Series is over, the Vols will need to turn their focus to a major roster hole the program suddenly has for the 2025 season. On […]
The Tennessee Vols' current focus is on the College World Series and their first game, against the Florida State Seminoles, on Friday evening in Omaha.
But once the College World Series is over, the Vols will need to turn their focus to a major roster hole the program suddenly has for the 2025 season.
On Monday, Vols sophomore RHP AJ Russell received some brutal news. The Tennessee native is set to undergo Tommy John surgery according to multiple reports.
Russell missed most of the 2024 season while dealing with arm soreness. He attempted to return in May, but he was shut down after two innings of work in the SEC Tournament.
The 6-foot-6 righty was expected to be a key part of the Vols' rotation in 2025. Tommy John surgery, however, wipes out any chance Russell has to contribute in 2025 (the lengthy rehab process almost always takes at least 12 months…and often it takes longer).
Russell showed earlier this season, before he was sidelined, what kind of impact he he can have when healthy, striking out 10 batters in 4.1 innings of work in Tennessee's season-opening win against Texas Tech.
Tennessee will need to consider some transfer portal options to give the team another rotation option with Russell likely out for all of next season.
It's a tough break for the Vols. And it's an even tougher break for Russell, a player with tremendous upside. Russell still has a bright future in baseball, but unfortunately he'll have to shut it down for a while before beginning a grueling rehab process that can be both emotionally and physically exhausting.
