After losing three games in a four-game stretch, Tennessee baseball bounced back with consecutive wins over Arizona State and Virginia Tech to close play at the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series in Arlington.
It was important for the Vols to steady themselves after a shaky start to the season. And following Tennessee’s 3-1 win over Virginia Tech Sunday, first-year head coach Josh Elander provided some good news. Utility men Blake Grimmer and Garrett Wright are getting closer to returning to the field.
“I think we’re getting really close,” Elander said of their potential return. “Grimmer took BP back to back days. That was a good sign. G-Wright was swinging the bat well in BP. We’ll see.”
Wright has technically already made his season debut after breaking the hamate bone in his wrist during preseason practice. The catcher and outfielder was a defensive sub in Tennessee’s 8-3 win over Bellarmine last week, playing center field in the ninth inning.
But Wright was only available as a defensive sub this weekend and had only done limited catching or hitting in practice. He transferred to Tennessee from Bowling Green over the offseason where he played two seasons for the Falcons. He twice earned First Team All-MAC selection and was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year this past season.
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Grimmer has been dealing with lower back pain since the preseason and has yet to play this year. The utility man 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.
Both Wright and Grimmer taking batting practice is a good sign as Tennessee looks to get the duo out on the field. And this upcoming week presents a great opportunity for the duo to return from their respective injuries. The Vols play five games this week at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, starting with midweek games against ETSU and Oakland.
“We have the flight tonight, get back, then reset,” Elander said. “And then Tuesday, Wednesday, hopefully have some opportunities to get those guys out. I know that gives a little bit more versatility, but we want to move these guys around, see what they can do, but some of these older guys with a lot of experience and games under their belt, it’ll be good to plug these guys back in the lineup if they continue to earn it.”
Tennessee is currently 8-3 on the young season and has a six-game home stand before opening up SEC play at Georgia on Friday, March 13. The Vols host Wright State in a three-game series this weeken.
