Gavin Kilen OUT for Tennessee baseball in series-opener vs. Alabama
Tennessee starting second baseman Gavin Kilen has been listed as OUT for the Volunteers in the series-opener against No. 12 Alabama on Thursday night.
The team-leader in average (.431), hits (31), home runs (10, RBI (25), runs (32) and slugging percentage (.986) was initially ruled ‘questionable’ on Wednesday’s initial availability report. Kilen suffered a lower-body injury late in Tuesday’s loss to East Tennessee State and was seen limping after the game. He did finish the game for Tennessee in the 10-inning affair, homering earlier in the contest.
Junior right-handed pitcher AJ Russell was listed as OUT as he continues working back from offseason Tommy John surgery. The potential first-rounder made his initial return on February 26, making the midweek one-inning start against North Alabama with a clean 1-2-3 frame.
“It was a deal where AJ’s an abnormal kid and he got ahead of that program quicker than the average guy,” skipper Tony Vitello said of Russell two weeks ago. “So, I think it’s time for everybody that’s involved to take a deep breath, have a conversation and say, ‘he showed what he can do’. We feel good about the throwing program and the protocol, but let’s take a deep breath and look out for the long run of what we’re trying to do with our season and his career combined.”
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Transfer Alberto Osuna, who is still fighting for his eligibility this season, is also listed as OUT and will not be available this weekend.
Alabama, who listed infielder Garrett Staton as questionable and right-handed pitcher JT Blackwood as probable on Wednesday, listed no players on the game day report.
Tennessee dropped its first contest of the season on Tuesday night when it fell 7-6 to East Tennessee State. Prior to the loss, the Vols had won 22-straight games dating back to the end of the 2024 season. The 20-0 start to the year was the best start in program history.
