Rebels LHP Xavier Rivas Tears UCL, Out For 2024 Season
Ole Miss Rebels LHP and projected Friday night starter Xavier Rivas was removed from Friday night's intrasquad game after suffering an apparent injury to his throwing arm, and the extent of that injury is now known, per reports.
Rivas has torn his UCL and will undergo Tommy John surgery, missing the entirety of the 2024 season in the process.
Chase Parham of Rivals.com was the first to report the news this weekend in what is a continuation of difficult injury news for the Rebels on the diamond, especially on the mound. Gunnar Hoglund blew out his elbow in the 2021 season, and Hunter Elliot's career at Ole Miss is also in jeopardy due to injury.
The pitching staff will now has to step up even more than anticipated in 2024, should Rivas be out for an extended period of time. One name that comes to mind is sophomore RHP JT Quinn, but head coach Mike Bianco will have to find his mix of pitchers and know who is going to toe the rubber come opening day in Hawaii.
Last season, Rivas posted a 6.35 ERA over the course of 68 innings pitched, striking out 69 men in the process. Ole Miss' season opener against Hawaii is scheduled for Feb. 16, and the game will be televised on Spectrum Sports.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was updated on Saturday afternoon with the extent of Rivas' injury.