Max Belyeu injury update: Texas baseball star could play against Oklahoma
Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle said Wednesday he would "like" to get star outfielder Max Belyeu some at-bats during the Longhorns' pivotal three-game series against Oklahoma, which begins Thursday night.
Belyeu, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, has been sidelined since suffering a thumb injury while making a diving catch at Missouri on March 28. The injury forced him to miss 26 games, but recent progress has the junior right fielder on the verge of returning to action.
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'He had a really good day (Tuesday),' Schlossnagle said. 'I think he's still working through some things, but he's super close, and I think the rate of progression he's had in the last week has been way faster than in the previous weeks. So we're going to get up there tonight and hit and we'll have a little hitting session (Thursday) in the morning and then, of course, BP before the game. So I think if it keeps progressing, I'd like to get him in there'
Schlossnagle noted last week that Belyeu's return would depend on his pain tolerance, but emphasized the team's need for his bat as the postseason approaches. 'We need him, whether he's at the highest percentage or not,' Schlossnagle said. 'Once he gets to a certain threshold, we need to get him at-bats. I don't want his first at-bats to be in the regional or maybe even the SEC Tournament'
Belyeu, who is hitting .358 with a 1.107 OPS and six home runs in 24 games this season, could also see time in right field if cleared to play. Despite initial concerns that the injury would make it difficult for him to squeeze his glove, Schlossnagle said Belyeu has been moving well in the outfield during his recovery. Texas enters the final regular-season series with a chance to clinch a share of the SEC title with a win or an Arkansas loss. Belyeu's return would provide a major boost as the Longhorns aim for a deep postseason run.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Jim Schlossnagle would like Max Belyeu to play against Oklahoma
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