Mason Nichols injury update: What is the status of the Ole Miss starting pitcher for SEC Tournament
Ole Miss gets an extra day of rest by earning a bye and skipping Tuesday’s first round of the SEC Tournament. But starter Mason Nichols might need more than a days rest.
After exiting Saturday’s regular season finale against Auburn, Nichols was feeling sudden tightness in his lower back with two outs in the fourth inning. Ole Miss provided an update on Monday.
Nichols saw a doctor and the diagnosis is a slight internal oblique strain and is considered day-to-day, according to Ole Miss.
“It happens like that. Reached forward and knew immediately that probably wasn’t a good thing,” Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco said on Saturday of Nichols injury.
Nichols worked 3.2 innings in Saturday’s 13-8 loss to the Tigers before leaving the game. He allowed three runs – all earned – off three hits and struck out a pair. Nichols also walked five other Auburn batters.
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Serving as the third arm in the weekend rotation Nichols appeared and started in 14 games during the regular season. He worked 50.2 innings with a 5.52 earned run average, allowing 36 runs – 31 earned – off 57 hits and has a season total of 51 strikeouts and 24 walks.
The Rebels will play the winner of Tuesday’s first round game between Florida and South Carolina. If they win then they get a day off and will not play until Friday’s quarterfinal round at 3 p.m. CT against Arkansas.
What the pitching plan is for Ole Miss at Hoover is not known but Nichols might be able to get the week off depending on that plan or how long the Rebels hang in the SEC Tournament. Hunter Elliott, Riley Maddox will be available and on a full week’s rest or close to it depending when they would pitch. Mason Morris is also potential replacement if needed to start and Nichols is unable to go.
