A pair of Tennessee baseball players are battling injuries with the Vols’ season-opening series against Nicholls just over a week away. Both Garrett Wright and Blake Grimmer have been hampered during preseason practice with head coach Josh Elander providing updates on both Thursday.
“Garrett obviously had the hamate surgery,” Elander said. “He is about two weeks out now. He got his sutures out. So it is a pain tolerance deal. But obviously being a catcher, too, that adds another element to it as he comes back to hitting as well.”
Wright had surgery to repair the wrist injury two weeks ago with the recovery time typically between three-and-six weeks for the injury. A versatile player, Wright is capable of playing both catcher and outfield. The hand injury could particularly affect his catching ability, as Elander noted.
A Bowling Green transfer, Wright twice earned First Team All-MAC selection and was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year this past season due to his versatility. He is a career .396 hitter with 14 home runs, 28 doubles and 76 RBIs in his first two collegiate seasons.
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Grimmer’s injury is not limiting him as much as Wright’s injury is. Battling some back soreness, Grimmer has missed time but Tennessee is mostly playing things cautiously in preseason practice.
“Grimm has still been day to day,” Elander said. “Been playing it very safe with him. Very confident in what his abilities are and what he is able to do for us. There will be no rush as he comes back from a little bit of a sore back. We will play it safe there with Grimm.”
The left-handed slugger did not participate in Tuesday’s scrimmage open to the media but he did field some ground balls at third base during drill work.
Grimmer is entering his redshirt sophomore season after hitting .318 with four home runs and 15 RBIs in 44 at-bats last season. He played in 27 games and started nine of them. Most of his work came during midweek games but is pushing for a bigger role this season.
Most of Grimmer’s work has come at third base during his career but he’s also worked at first base and left field during practice.
Tennessee baseball is replacing six of nine position player starters from a season ago, so there’s opportunities abound for potential breakout candidates. The Vols begin their 2026 season on Friday, Feb. 13 when they face Nicholls at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
