FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas pitcher James Teague has been ruled out of the College World Series after an MRI on Monday revealed what Coach Dave Van Horn called a stress reaction in the back of his right elbow.
"We kind of knew, just from the way it was bothering him, where it was at, what it could be," Van Horn said.
"It's heartbreaking for him," Arkansas pitching coach Dave Jorn said. "He's pitched his heart out."
Teague, who has a 2-0 record and 1.86 ERA in 4 postseason appearances, worked a 13-pitch inning in Friday's 18-4 Arkansas victory over Missouri State in the opening game of their super regional. The right-hander started and threw 79 pitches in four innings of the Razorbacks' 3-2 victory Sunday that clinched a berth in the College World Series.
"At least it's not a stress fracture," Van Horn said. "It's just a reaction. That means rest. ... It could have turned into something severe, but he'll be all right in a month or two."
Teague, a sophomore from Bartlesville, Okla., earned two victories in relief at the NCAA regional in Stillwater, Okla., two weeks ago. He is 6-4 on the season with a 3.36 ERA as a spot starter and long reliever.
The loss of Teague is another blow to the Hogs' thin staff.
The Razorbacks lost right-handed starter Dominic Taccolini to an undisclosed injury that required hospitalization during the Stillwater Regional, and freshman right-hander Keaton McKinney hasn't been the same since a muscle ailment in his right hip flared up in the final series of the regular season at Georgia.
No squishing
Center fielder Andrew Benintendi got to the dogpile Sunday later than most because of his run from center field, but that was fine with him.
"I was on top," Benintendi said. "I paused a little bit because I know guys on the bottom can get squished and I didn't want to do that."
Reliever Zach Jackson was on the other end of the pile.
"You just kind of black out from excitement," Jackson said. "There was no fear at all, just embracing that excitement."
Red Sox offer
Arkansas outfielder Andrew Benintendi said the Boston Red Sox, who took him with the No. 7 pick in the first round of the major league draft on Monday, have made a contract offer through his adviser.
“I don’t want to say anything where I shouldn’t, but it’s going to be hard to turn down what I’m being offered,” Benintendi said without elaborating on the offer. “It’s been a great experience here, and I’m still looking forward to winning a few games in Omaha and we’ve got a lot to play for.”
McKinney takes shot
Freshman pitcher Keaton McKinney, who picked up the loss in Game 2 of Arkansas' super regional against Missouri State, received a cortisone shot in his right hip Monday to try to alleviate pain there.
"Hopefully that will get rid of the pain and strengthen it up a little bit where he can go," Arkansas pitching coach Dave Jorn said. "That's been bothering him since Georgia and he hasn't pitched really well since.
"It's his right hip, and sometimes it just gives out on him when he gets to his balance position and his stride is affected. Just a lot of problems with that."
Jorn said McKinney was scheduled to "move around" some today after staying off his feet Tuesday.
McKinney is tentatively set as Arkansas' Game 2 starter at the College World Series, although Jackson Lowery's recent performances make him a candidate as well.
"I think McKinney's going to be fine," Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said.
'Own Omaha'
Senior outfielder Joe Serrano wore a shirt with Razorback colors that said "Own Omaha" on the front during Tuesday's practice at Baum Stadium.
"These were the shirts we got in 2012," Serrano said, referencing Arkansas' last run to the College World Series. "It's just kind of a simple statement.
"I guess you could say 'Own the day. Own the night. Own Omaha.' In a tournament with so many great teams out there anything can happen."
Serrano is the lone Razorback with College World Series experience.
Kirby back?
Virginia left-hander Nathan Kirby, who threw a one-hitter over eight innings in the Cavaliers' 3-0 victory over Arkansas in the winner's bracket game of last year's Charlottesville Regional, has been out since suffering a strained lat muscle injury in his back seven weeks ago, but Coach Brian O'Connor said he could be available to pitch again at the College World Series.
"I don't know," Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. "I'm not worried about it. If he pitches, he pitches. But I'll believe that when I see it."
Kirby, 6-2, 200 pounds, was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 40th pick of the major-league draft in the competitive balance portion after the first round.
The Cavaliers are likely to start 6-3 right-hander Connor Jones (7-2, 2.96 ERA) against the Razorbacks and right-hander Trey Killian (3-4, 4.74 ERA) on Saturday. Jones allowed three earned runs in seven innings in a 5-3 victory over Maryland in the opening game of last week's super regional.
Hot bats
Senior Joe Serrano is swinging Arkansas' best bat in the NCAA Tournament with a .391 average, followed closely by fellow outfielder Tyler Spoon (.375).
Catcher Tucker Pennell is at .333, and designated hitter Brett McAfee is hitting .318.
On the other side, second baseman Rick Nomura has come down from a hot SEC Tournament and is at .174 in the NCAA Tournament, while third baseman Bobby Wernes has struggled at .192 and first baseman Clark Eagan is at .211.
Center fielder Andrew Benintendi and shortstop Michael Bernal are both 5 for 19 (.263) in the Hogs' six NCAA Tournament games.
Sports on 06/10/2015