Tony Vitello updates the status of infielder Gavin Kilen
Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello gave an injury update on second baseman Gavin Kilen during an in-game interview Thursday night on the ESPNU broadcast of game one between Tennessee and Alabama.
The skipper referred to Kilen as ‘day-to-day’ while he deals with a hamstring injury suffered late in Tuesday night’s loss to East Tennessee State. Vitello said the most Kilen would do this weekend in the Alabamia series would be pinch hit.
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 the lower-body injury on Tuesday and was seen limping after the game. He did finish the game for Tennessee in the 10-inning affair, homering earlier in the contest.
Kilen was ruled UT on the pregame availability report on Thursday, two hours prior to first pitch.
Junior right-handed pitcher AJ Russell was also listed as OUT prior to game one of the series 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.
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“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.”
Transfer Alberto Osuna, who is still fighting for his eligibility this season, will not be available this weekend for Tennessee.
