Max Belyeu injury update: Texas baseball star could play against Oklahoma
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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Georgia Bulldogs Overall: 2 Post-Spring Ranking: 2 Projected Win-Loss: 9.6-2.8 The Georgia Bulldogs projected win total dropped below 10 from the post-spring Football Power Index update. If anything, it highlights the wide-open nature of the college football and SEC landscape heading into 2025. But the Bulldogs are led by the best coach in college football, Kirby Smart, and you can bet the defense will be one of the best in the nation in 2025. 1. Texas Longhorns Overall: 1 Post-Spring Ranking: 1 Projected Win-Loss: 10.4-2.2 The Texas Longhorns are the unanimous No. 1 team in the nation after taking the top spot in both the US LBM Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25. The pressure is on for the preseason favorite after back-to-back semifinal exits. Can Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns live up to the hype? We'll get our first answer in week one when they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. What is the ESPN Football Power Index? The Football Power Index (FPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team's performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily. FPI data from seasons prior to 2019 may not be complete. - ESPN Football Power Index Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
