Why isn’t AJ Russell pitching for Tennessee baseball? Tony Vitello updates pitcher’s status
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AJ Russell might not pitch again for Tennessee baseball until April as the Vols are being cautious and deliberate with the junior’s return to starting.
“I think it is kind of take a deep breath, and kind of start a new throwing program to prepare him more to be a starter opposed to he came in the other day and just got three outs,” Vols coach Tony Vitello said Sunday.
Russell made his season debut against North Alabama on Feb. 25. He has not had any setbacks in his recovery from Tommy John surgery since but has not pitched in the past eight games for the No. 1 Vols (16-0).
The 6-foot-6 pitcher returned ahead of the expected timeline, which originally slotted him for a mid-April debut. Russell was eight months out from surgery when he made his one-inning start against North Alabama and “leapfrogged too many things . . . because of how dedicated he was,” Vitello said.
“It was a deal where AJ is an abnormal kid,” Vitello said. “He got ahead of that program quicker than the average guy.”
The right-hander could pitch now in short outings, but Vitello is thinking ahead. He stressed the final two months of the regular season and the postseason in June matter more than Russell getting a few outs in midweek games. And Russell’s likely professional career are more important.
The Vols and “all parties involved” opted to pump the brakes on his ascension into a key role on Tennessee’s pitching staff.
“I think he is definitely wanting to pitch,” Vitello said. “But he has the mindset. He has been there. He has seen what last year looks like with what needs to be done for a team to have success in the long run.”
Russell struck out all three batters he faced against North Alabama. He touched 96 mph twice, throwing 11 of 17 pitches for strikes.
“He showed what he can do and we feel good about the throwing program and the protocol,” Vitello said. “Let’s take a deep breath and look out for the long run of what we are trying to do with our season and his career combined.”
The start against North Alabama was Russell’s first time pitching in a game since May 26 against LSU in the SEC Tournament, his final outing in an injury-plagued sophomore season.
He opened the 2024 season as Tennessee’s Friday night starter. He left his second start with side soreness. He returned in March and pitched two games before he was shut down for two months. He pitched twice in May, then ultimately underwent elbow surgery.
Russell went 2-1 with a 2.22 ERA in 30 appearances, with five starts, in two seasons. He has 68 strikeouts in 44⅔ innings.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
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