Tony Vitello provides injury update on pitcher AJ Russell

Tennessee will be without one of its key pitchers, AJ Russell, for the Super Regionals and likely the rest of the postseason after he missed the Knoxville Regional over the weekend. Coach Tony Vitello provided an update on Wednesday.

The sophomore right-hander will not play in the Knoxville Super Regional.

“Nothing specific as far as what the next step will be for him, but he’ll be unavailable,” Vitello said, according to Volquest. “So, it’s kind of coach Russell or coach AJ for now, kind of as Billy [Amick] did for a couple weeks there. And I don’t mean to make light of health or anything like that. He’s still involved in practice and things like that right now, but he’s kind of assumed a role in the dugout where he takes on some other duties, and to me, I enjoyed being around him.

“So, for now that’s his task and we’ll see where we get but more than likely [he] would be shut down for the year.”

AJ Russell has been in and out of the lineup for the Volunteers throughout the season.

He missed two weeks early in the season with soreness but returned in mid-March to pitch some. He made only two appearances before hitting the bench with further injury.

Finally, Russell was able to return to the lineup on May 22 against Vanderbilt. He threw one inning against the Commodores, then threw one inning against LSU four days later in the SEC Tournament.

But the Vols likely won’t get any more from him this year.

AJ Russell finishes the year with an 0-1 record and a 5.02 ERA, having thrown 14.1 innings while recording 21 strikeouts and eight walks. Opponents hit just .231 off him.

Tennessee will have to get by without him as it takes on Evansville in the Knoxville Super Regional. The Volunteers will be heavy favorites after the Purple Aces scored an upset in the Greenville Regional against East Carolina over the weekend.

Game 1 of the series will be played on Friday afternoon at 3, while Game 2 is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Saturday. Both games will be televised on ESPN2. If necessary, a Game 3 on Sunday would take place at 6 p.m. ET on ESPNU.