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Max Belyeu listed as probable on SEC Injury Report

by:Evan Vieth•05/14/25
Easton Winfield, Max Belyeu
Easton Winfield, Max Belyeu (Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Long have Texas fans awaited the return of former Big 12 Player of the Year (POTY) right fielder Max Belyeu, and soon they shall be rewarded for their patience.

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The slugging junior has missed the last 26 games for the Longhorns, spanning over one and a half months and six SEC series. Belyeu suffered a thumb injury in the first game of Texas’ series against Missouri, likely from a diving catch made in the outfield, but he was not removed from the game. A day later, Belyeu was in the dugout, and that week it was announced that he would be out for an indefinite period of time.

That time may be coming to an end, as Belyeu is listed as probable for this weekend’s road matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners. Head coach Jim Schlossnagle hinted this week that Belyeu had a chance to play, and Belyeu’s bat could be a significant factor in Texas’ SEC title race.

Belyeu had been one of the team’s best hitters when he left, batting a scorching .358 with a 1.107 OPS and six home runs. He occupied the second spot in the lineup for the majority of the season, providing versatility with his lefty swing.

Saying this couldn’t have come at a better time is an understatement for the Longhorns. Texas has lost five of its last six SEC games and faces its first week not ranked as the No. 1 team in almost exactly one month. The Longhorn bats have faltered in Belyeu’s absence, ranking in the 100s in many major hitting categories.

Suddenly, the Longhorns have a bit of momentum heading into an away matchup against their bitter rivals. It’s the healthiest the team has been all year, at least outside of the season-ending injury that left-handed pitcher (LHP) Jared Spencer suffered. Texas no longer has to rely on 11th- and 12th-option players to fill in for the likes of Belyeu or an injured Ethan Mendoza or Rylan Galvan. The team can now play its best nine players every game.

Outside of Spencer and Belyeu, Texas’ injury report is bare, while Oklahoma has just one player listed as questionable: infielder Dayton Tockey. Tockey, a former JUCO star, possesses Oklahoma’s highest OPS in conference play and would create depth issues for the Sooners if unavailable. Losing him for the weekend would be a significant blow.

Texas’ magic number sits at just two heading into Thursday, with the Longhorns needing just one win to secure an SEC regular-season co-title and two wins (or Arkansas losses) to secure an outright victory.

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The Longhorns and Sooners will face off at L. Dale Mitchell Park on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to kick off a three-game series, the final one of the regular season.

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