AJ Russell

[Gravey]

Well this sucks for him. Depending on rehab he may not be ready next year. Hindsight is 20/20 but if it had happened in late March or early April would it have mattered? Who knows but hope he makes a full recovery and can return at some point.

https://247sports.com/college/tenne...go-tommy-john-surgery-tony-vitello-232734701/

 

[PalsPal]

It is puzzling that they thought it might heal with rest. Maybe he and his family were given the option of having surgery then or waiting to see.

Hate it for him, but hopefully it will be successful and he can have a productive career.

 

[Displaced_Vol]

Most of this comes from the crew at Volquest but I think it was a collaborative decision with him, his family and the UT staff to try and rehab it in order to allow him to pitch this season and it obviously didn't work out.
They emphasized that AJ and his family wanted to be able to pitch this season. UT wasn't going to mess around and try to push that without them being on board you don't want to potentially mess up a kids future like that.

It'll be interesting to see what he does. I think chances are better than not he won't pitch again for UT but who knows. Maybe he gets feedback from MLB and needs to show he has fully recovered in college. NIL may make that a more viable option for him to return if he feels like his draft stock has taken too much of a hit.

Either way wish him nothing but the best going forward.

 

[PalsPal]

Looks like his surgery wasn't as extensive as first thought.

He could be back mid-year next season.

https://247sports.com/college/tenne...ng-tommy-john-surgery-tony-vitello-233076651/