Kyson Witherspoon injury update: Oklahoma ace's start pushed back vs. Vanderbilt

Norman is set to host a big-time SEC weekend series between Oklahoma and Vanderbilt. Usually, the Sooners would throw Kyson Witherspoon on a Friday, hoping to get an early win. However, head coach Skip Johnson has had to make a change to the rotation due to an injury.

According to Kendall Rogers of D1 Baseball, Witherspoon will be pushed back to Saturday. Back spasms are bothering the right hander, beginning on Wednesday. Rogers says Oklahoma is not too concerned but wants to be careful.

“Some pitching news: @OU_Baseball RHP Kyson Witherspoon, the No. 6 prospect in the @d1baseball College 100, will have his start pushed back a day after dealing with some back spasms over the past 24 hours,” Rogers said via X. “He’s fine, but #Sooners want him to go through usual routine.”

Witherspoon is 1-3 in SEC play this season but has pitched well in those outings. Three earned runs is the most he has given up against a conference foe, getting pulled after four innings against Alabama. But against South Carolina, Mississippi State, and LSU, Witherspoon has gone a total of 18 innings for a total of eight earned runs against.

Oklahoma is hoping for more of the same against Vanderbilt. As usual in the SEC, it’s a ranked matchup with a lot at stake. Witherspoon will be critical if the Sooners want to emerge with at least two wins come Sunday. Instead of getting the opener, Witherspoon’s number will be called on Saturday.

More on Oklahoma, 2025 season

Making the NCAA Tournament has been a constant the past few years for Oklahoma. The last three seasons have all resulted in bids, even making the College World Series in 2022. Johnson has done a great job with the program.

Playing in the SEC is a different beast, though. Between the Sooners and Red River rival Texas, many wondered how they would adapt to the new league.

So far, so good for Oklahoma, although they enter the Vanderbilt series on a four-game losing streak. Just nine losses are on the overall resume, six of which are against SEC foes. Hovering around .500 in the conference is nothing to be ashamed of and would comfortable get them into the NCAA Tournament.

In the latest projections from On3’s Jonathan Wagner, Oklahoma is a two-seed in the Chapel Hill Regional. Hosting is still in the equation if the Sooners can get back to their winning ways.