LSU Coach Jay Johnson Provides Injury Report

No. 1 LSU is on a roll after taking the series over Arkansas last weekend. With a highly anticipated matchup against Tennessee inching closer, the Tigers are hitting their stride at the right time.

Head Coach Jay Johnson’s group outscored the Razorbacks 26-7 over their last two games of the series. It was clear at the plate there were no issues, but as for the bullpen, there are still some minor hiccups to correct.

One of those is health. Coach Johnson gave an injury update on a few players ahead of this weekend’s series in Alex Box Stadium.

Grant Taylor - UCL tear

Taylor is out for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair a fall ball injury. The Top 100 prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft is using his redshirt year this season so he can return to Baton Rouge in 2024.

Johnson praised Taylor and how he’ll utilize his redshirt season:

"He's an elite student. He came in with all kinds of AP credits and is one of those guys that could graduate in three years' time,” Johnson said. “Obviously, it saves the redshirt year for this year. He likes being here and, obviously, I want him here as long as he's willing to stay here.

"If we get a month and a half out of him in 2024 that's good by me. He'll have his degree and have all the leverage in the world."

Javen Coleman - UCL tear

Coleman suffered a torn UCL last season but is slowly working his way back. He was in the bullpen on Monday and Johnson gave an update on where he stands during his radio show:

"The fastball was up to 91 mph in his bullpen today. That's pretty significant to be at that point," Johnson said. "I guess what will be 13 and a half months after he had surgery. He threw five sliders today and that's the first time that he was throwing breaking balls. So, we're a lot further along than I probably anticipated."

Nate Ackenhausen - Unavailable last weekend

Ackenhausen was unavailable against Arkansas but is set to be ready for this weekend, Johnson said on Monday:

"I anticipate he'll be ready to roll this week," Johnson said on Monday. "Don't plan to use him [Tuesday], but he's in a good spot for this weekend."

Paxton Kling - “small injury”

Kling was unavailable after suffering what Johnson called a “small injury” last week. The freshman got in for a small sequence in Saturday’s game against Arkansas but appears as though he will be a full go this weekend against Tennessee.