Texas Longhorns Pitcher Out For Extended Period With Injury

Head coach Jim Schlossnagle mentioned that one of his bullpen arms has suffered an arm injury ahead of Friday's matchup.

Texas Longhorns head coach Jim Schlossnagle talks to Dartmouth head coach Bob Whalen ahead of the game at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. | Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As Texas Longhorns baseball head coach Jim Schlossnagle finalizes his pitching lineup, he's going to have one less arm in the bullpen to rely on.

During a radio appearance on Friday, Schlossnagle mentioned that redshirt senior pitcher Will Mercer has suffered an undisclosed injury and will be sidelined for a couple of weeks.

Texas baseball injury note:

Jim Schlossnagle said on the radio before yesterday’s game that LHP Will Mercer is “going through some things arm-wise” and the staff is hopeful to get him back in a couple weeks.

Mercer last threw February 22nd against Dartmouth.

— HornSports (@HornSports) March 8, 2025

Schlossnagle said that Mercer is "going through some things arm-wise" and will not see the mound in Texas' remaining two matchups against Santa Clara this weekend.

The relief pitcher has thrown in three games so far this season, his most recent appearance being against Dartmouth in the Longhorns' home opener. He currently sits at a 9.00 ERA after allowing a combined four hits, two earned runs, two walks and three strikeouts.

2025 marks Mercer's second season with the Longhorns but his first year pitching, as he redshirted in 2024. He finished out his previous four seasons at Notre Dame with a 2.43 ERA and held batters to just a .185 hitting percentage.

With Mercer out indefinitely, Schlossnagle will have to make another change to his pitching rotation. Schlossnagle already took relief pitcher Dylan Volantis and made him the Sunday starter, but he still has viable options such as Ruger Riojas, Max Grubbs, Thomas Burns and Andre Duplantier to call on.

The Longhorns face Santa Clara at 2 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field and look to get another home sweep. Texas already grabbed a 4-2 win on Friday.

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