Former Tennessee Vols baseball standout Chase Dollander gets hit with some brutal news
Former Tennessee Volunteers RHP Chase Dollander has been off to a great start with the Colorado Rockies this season, but he got hit with some brutal news to start the weekend.
Former Tennessee Vols RHP Chase Dollander got hit with the news this week that every pitcher dreads hearing.
Dollander, who is in his second season with the Colorado Rockies after being drafted by the franchise in 2023, is expected to undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL.
Pitchers typically undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL, though many are now opting for the internal brace procedure, which shortens the recovery time significantly. It’s unclear which option Dollander will choose, but his 2026 season is over either way. And even if he choose the internal brace procedure, he almost certainly won’t be ready for opening day next season.
It’s a tough blow for Dollander as he was off to a great start this season.
The former Vol had a 3.89 ERA in 10 appearances this season while recording a 1.1 WAR (wins above replacement). Dollander pitches often in hitter friendly Coors Field in Denver which inflates ERAs for pitchers (he had a 4.60 ERA in Denver this season and as 3.49 ERA on the road).
Dollander’s best outing of the year came on April 26 when he pitched seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts in a road win over the New York Mets (he struck out superstar Juan Soto in his third time through the order).
The former Tennessee standout is just 24-years-old so his arrow is still pointing up despite the tough news he received this week.