Tennessee outfielder Kavares Tears is out of the lineup for the Vols’ series opener against Florida on Thursday night as he battles a lower body injury, a source confirms to RTI.
Tears has started 43 of Tennessee’s 45 games this season. He didn’t start in the Vols’ midweek loss against Lipscomb on Tuesday night but did pinch hit and and go 0-for-2.
With Tears out of the lineup, sophomore outfielder Reese Chapman is starting in right field. Chapman has been a constant as Tennessee’s designated hitter as of late but is a capable outfielder. Bradke Lohry is starting at DH in the series opener. The junior college transfer started four games in the infield early in the season and is hitting .238 with two doubles and eight home runs.
More From RTI: Kavares Tears Is Tennessee Baseball’s Latest Homegrown Star
Tears is in the midst of a huge redshirt sophomore season. He’s hitting .366 with 14 home runs, 10 doubles and 37 RBIs over the course of the season.
The Lewisburg, Tennessee native has spent the season hitting in the cleanup spot. With him out in the series opener against Florida, Dylan Dreiling moves into the cleanup spot with Hunter Ensley in the five-hole.
First pitch for Tennessee’s weekend series at Florida is at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday. ESPN is broadcasting the game. Follow along with live updates here.
