LSU coach Jay Johnson provides update on pitchers’ injuries

LSU was without right-hander Chase Shores and left-hander Nate Ackenhausen this weekend, and another right-handed reliever exited Friday’s game early. 

Shores, who last pitched on Friday, March 31 against Tennessee, has an undisclosed arm injury. LSU coach Jay Johnson told The Advocate on Tuesday night that he would not pitch at South Carolina. On Saturday, Johnson said that the team will have some answers on his status soon.

“We’re getting closer,” Johnson said over the phone on Saturday. “We want to get as thorough opinion as possible and evaluations from the best people that are out there.” 

Ackenhausen has struggled with a hamstring injury, not pitching for 13 days between his last game at Texas A&M and his return on Thursday, March 30 against Tennessee, when he only faced two batters, inducing a flyout. He was not available again this weekend against South Carolina. 

“He is not on the active roster this weekend, he has struggled with a hamstring injury,” Johnson said. “We’re trying like heck to get him back for next weekend.” 

On Friday, right-hander Garrett Edwards exited the game against the Gamecocks in the bottom of the fifth inning. He was escorted off the mound by a trainer. 

“The preliminary evaluation was as positive as it could be,” Johnson said. “We’re hoping that it’s not as serious as it looked. It’s kind of odd, the pitch was a changeup, you don’t see a significant injury when a guy is throwing a changeup. I’m hopeful, but I’m not a doctor, we’ll get him further evaluated when we get home.”