Tag: Garrett Edwards

Former LSU pitcher Garrett Edwards officially agrees to terms with Rays

Garrett Edwards signed a deal with Tampa Bay for $500,000.

After he was selected in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB draft, former LSU pitcher [autotag]Garrett Edwards[/autotag] officially came to an agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

According to a report from MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis, Edwards’ deal is worth $500,000 (with $350,000 of it counting vs. the pool).

Edwards emerged as one of LSU’s top bullpen options this season, and he likely would have pushed for a spot in the starting rotation were it not for him undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery.

As a junior in 2023, he made 10 appearances while earning a 4-0 record. His earned run average was just 1.93, and he also recorded a save.

Edwards’ draft stock was hurt due to his injury, but he’ll join the Rays organization and hope to rise the minor league ranks once healthy.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1389]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

LSU reliever Garrett Edwards goes to the Rays in Round 11

Garrett Edwards has heard his name called in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB draft.

[autotag]Garrett Edwards[/autotag] has heard his name called in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. He was picked by the Tampa Bay Rays.

He will join [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] in the minor leagues as he begins his path to the majors. Edwards is coming off his best season on the bayou. He had a 4-0 record with a 1.93 ERA as he struck out 27 hitters and only walked five out of the bullpen.

Edwards got roughed up in his last outing of the season against South Carolina, but his stuff is still really good. He makes a lot of hitters swing-and-miss and he forces a lot of ground balls. That is a big reason why he was picked.

Edwards has the option to come back to school if he chooses, but he would be in a good situation in Tampa Bay. According to The Advocate’s Leah Vann, he received fifth-round caliber money.

The Rays are the best team in the American League right now, and they do a good job developing pitchers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=611345007]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

LSU coach Jay Johnson not ruling out changes to pitching rotation after series loss at Auburn

With inconsistency behind Paul Skenes in the rotation, Johnson said changes could potentially be made.

LSU has been nearly unbeatable in series openers this season, and there’s one simple reason for that: [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag].

Skenes has been the most dominant pitcher in college baseball this season. He’s one of the top prospects in the country alongside [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag], and both could be the first two players off the board in this summer’s MLB draft.

But beyond Skenes, the Tigers have had some troubles on the mound. Pitching inconsistency in Games 2 and 3 have cost this team recently, most notably this past weekend.

LSU dropped its first series of the season on the road against a red-hot Auburn team. After Skenes tossed a 3-0 shutout in Game 1 on Friday night, the Tigers were defeated 8-6 in Game 2 and were embarrassed in a series-clinching 12-2 run-rule loss on Sunday.

The starting pitching situation outside of Skenes is becoming a concern as the Tigers gear up for a potential College World Series run. After the loss to Auburn, coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] said changes to the rotation were a possibility moving forward, according to The Advocate’s Leah Vann.

Ty Floyd has held down the Saturday job for most of the year, while Vanderbilt transfer [autotag]Christian Little[/autotag] has been the Sunday starter of late. However, UCLA transfer [autotag]Thatcher Hurd[/autotag] held that title before struggles relegated him to the bullpen.

If LSU wanted to bring in a different weekend starter, Hurd is an option. Other options include [autotag]Javen Coleman[/autotag], who recently returned from injury, and other bullpen arms such as [autotag]Gavin Guidry[/autotag], [autotag]Sam Dutton[/autotag], [autotag]Griffin Herring[/autotag] or [autotag]Riley Cooper[/autotag].

Unfortunately, the top bullpen arm in [autotag]Garrett Edwards[/autotag], who many thought could develop into a starting option, was lost for the season last month after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Exactly how Johnson will address the pitching rotation (or if he will at all) remains to be seen. But with only two SEC series remaining, LSU only has so much time to experiment with things before the games really start to count.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=611345007]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

[mm-video type=video id=01gzck1r17jdt5ftsj18 playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01f1jz1vgtfhzk6ner image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gzck1r17jdt5ftsj18/01gzck1r17jdt5ftsj18-40699b2e017bdc0e75adf983536e7a7b.jpg]

Report: LSU reliever Garrett Edwards to miss remainder of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery

Edwards hasn’t pitched since April 7 at South Carolina.

LSU’s bullpen took a major hit on Wednesday with the news that right-handed pitcher [autotag]Garrett Edwards[/autotag] will miss the rest of the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL.

The news was first reported by Leah Vann of The Advocate.

Per Vann, Edwards was seen wearing a brace during this past weekend’s series against Alabama. He hasn’t pitched since April 7 against South Carolina when he was pulled in the fifth inning after he was injured while throwing a pitch.

It’s a tough loss for a Tigers bullpen that is already missing a couple of key pieces and has struggled a bit in recent weeks. Edwards becomes the third LSU pitcher this season to undergo Tommy John surgery, joining [autotag]Chase Shores[/autotag], who had surgery last month, and [autotag]Grant Taylor[/autotag], whose preseason injury caused him to miss the entire year.

In 23.1 innings pitched out of the bullpen, Edwards had a 1.93 ERA with 27 strikeouts to just five walks. He earned a 4-0 record in 2023 and also recorded a save.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=611345007]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

[mm-video type=video id=01gzck1r17jdt5ftsj18 playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01f1jz1vgtfhzk6ner image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gzck1r17jdt5ftsj18/01gzck1r17jdt5ftsj18-40699b2e017bdc0e75adf983536e7a7b.jpg]

BREAKING: LSU RHP Chase Shores to miss remainder of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery

Shores’ true freshman campaign has come to an end after he tore his UCL.

The Tigers baseball team will be without one of its top bullpen arms for the rest of the way as true freshman right-handed pitcher [autotag]Chase Shores[/autotag] announced on Tuesday that his season is over after tearing his UCL.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my 2023 season has come to an end due to a UCL tear,” the Midland, Texas, native wrote in a Twitter post. “I will miss my time competing at Alex Box, but I won’t let this injury stop me from being the best teammate & supporter for my boys as we close out the season. I will be back better than ever. Geaux Tigers!”

Shores underwent Tommy John surgery last week to repair the torn ligament, according to The Advocate’s Leah Vann.

The top-ranked right-handed pitcher in the state of Texas for the 2023 signing class, Shores made seven appearances with four starts as a true freshman. In 18.1 innings pitched, he had an ERA of just 1.96. He threw 15 strikeouts while allowing nine walks.

He hasn’t appeared in a game since March 31 against Tennessee, and coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] hasn’t provided many updates on his condition. Now, it’s clear why that was the case.

Shores is one of the most promising arms on the team, and the 6-foot-8 player was expected to play a major role in the bullpen down the stretch. It’s a tough break for an LSU team that has dealt with quite a few injuries to the pitching staff this season.

[autotag]Nate Ackenhausen[/autotag] returned to the field last weekend, luckily, and [autotag]Garrett Edwards[/autotag] — arguably the most reliable arm in the bullpen — seems to be getting closer to making his return.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=611345007]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

[mm-video type=video id=01gx3vb07gxv0hy3z96s playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01f1jz1vgtfhzk6ner image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gx3vb07gxv0hy3z96s/01gx3vb07gxv0hy3z96s-de72a8f131d997d2c89a683bba155960.jpg]

Jay Johnson updates LSU pitching injuries: Garrett Edwards, Chase Shores officially OUT vs. Kentucky

The Tigers’ bullpen will be shorthanded once again this weekend.

It appears LSU’s pitching staff will be stretched pretty thin once again this weekend when the Tigers host Kentucky at Alex Box Stadium.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] offered no update on the status of [autotag]Garrett Edwards[/autotag] or [autotag]Chase Shores[/autotag] but confirmed neither will be available this weekend against the Wildcats.

Johnson couldn’t provide an update on [autotag]Nate Ackenhausen[/autotag], who was set to be evaluated later on Wednesday.

The Tigers split their weekend series on the road against South Carolina after Game 3 was canceled due to weather. LSU beat Tulane on the road Tuesday night and will now welcome a UK team that is coming off a series loss to Georgia.

LSU will hope to overcome a shorthanded bullpen this weekend and remain unbeaten in SEC series this season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=611345007]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

[mm-video type=video id=01gx3vb07gxv0hy3z96s playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gx3vb07gxv0hy3z96s/01gx3vb07gxv0hy3z96s-de72a8f131d997d2c89a683bba155960.jpg]

LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson updates status of injured pitchers

Johnson provided encouraging (if vague) updates on LSU’s injured pitchers.

The rain kept a series winner from being decided in this weekend’s bout between LSU and South Carolina, but the decision to cancel Game 3 might have worked to the Tigers’ advantage.

The pitching staff is ravaged by injuries. [autotag]Chase Shores[/autotag] and [autotag]Nate Ackenhausen[/autotag] were unavailable coming into the weekend, and LSU lost reliever [autotag]Garrett Edwards[/autotag] during Game 2.

Coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] told The Advocate’s Leah Vann that the team is “getting closer” to having an answer on Shores’ availability after suffering an undisclosed arm injury. Ackenhausen, meanwhile, missed two weeks earlier in SEC play with a hamstring injury and was out once again this weekend.

Johnson said he hopes Ackenhausen will be available next weekend against Kentucky.

Regarding Edwards, Johnson said he was optimistic but conceded that it’s not clear exactly how serious the injury was.

“The preliminary evaluation was as positive as it could be,” Johnson said. “We’re hoping that it’s not as serious as it looked. It’s kind of odd, the pitch was a changeup, you don’t see a significant injury when a guy is throwing a changeup. I’m hopeful, but I’m not a doctor, we’ll get him further evaluated when we get home.”

LSU has the talent to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament and get to the College World Series in Omaha. However, there are question marks with the pitching staff, and the Tigers desperately need to get their bullpen healthy.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=611345007]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

[mm-video type=video id=01gxa0qa6cbgapy6xx3k playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gxa0qa6cbgapy6xx3k/01gxa0qa6cbgapy6xx3k-29ddb033d33ed15ef6ab00eddfd4b3d2.jpg]

LSU loses Garrett Edwards but evens series against South Carolina with comeback win in Game 2

When LSU needed a clutch hit the most, Gavin Dugas came through with a grand slam to help lead the Tigers to an 8-7 win over the Gamecocks.

When LSU needed a clutch hit the most, [autotag]Gavin Dugas[/autotag] came through with a grand slam to boost the Tigers to an 8-7 win over South Carolina.

The Gamecocks have been unstoppable at home this season, entering Friday’s game with a 19-0 record in Columbia. [autotag]Ty Floyd[/autotag] was tasked with trying to break that streak in Game 1 of the scheduled doubleheader.

After a quiet first inning, the Gamecocks scored four runs in the bottom of the second when Floyd hit back-to-back batters with the bases loaded and then gave up a two-RBI double.

In the top of the fourth inning, LSU hit a pair of homers to trim the lead to 4-3. [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag] hit a solo shot and [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] hit a two-run shot to left field. For once, LSU had hope.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, [autotag]Garrett Edwards[/autotag] exited the game after an injury, and the Gamecocks were able to get all three of the runs back. [autotag]Griffin Herring[/autotag] stopped the bleeding, but the Tigers found themselves down, 7-3, after five innings.

In the top of the eighth inning, LSU loaded the bases after [autotag]Cade Beloso[/autotag] and Thompson walked. [autotag]Brayden Jobert[/autotag] then singled to load the bases. Down 7-3 and running out of time to make a comeback, LSU had a chance to tie the game with one swing.

Insert [autotag]Gavin Dugas[/autotag], a man who always seems to find himself in these situations and usually produces.

He did just that. Dugas hit a grand slam to tie the game at 7 heading to the bottom of the eighth.

In the top of the ninth inning, [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] led off with a walk. White then grounded out to the pitcher but that got Crews to second. After a wild pitch got him to third, Crews scored on a Beloso RBI single to give LSU its first lead of the weekend heading to the bottom of the ninth.

[autotag]Gavin Guidry[/autotag] remained in the game to pitch the ninth inning for LSU. The Gamecocks put runners on first and second, but Guidry struck out the other three batters he faced to secure the 8-7 victory.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=611345007]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

[mm-video type=video id=01gxa0qa6cbgapy6xx3k playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gxa0qa6cbgapy6xx3k/01gxa0qa6cbgapy6xx3k-29ddb033d33ed15ef6ab00eddfd4b3d2.jpg]

LSU relief pitcher Garrett Edwards exits Game 2 vs. South Carolina with arm injury

LSU’s pitching depth is being tested severely.

LSU’s pitching staff has already been heavily strained by injuries this season, and the situation went from bad to worse in Friday’s Game 2 against South Carolina when relief pitcher [autotag]Garrett Edwards[/autotag] left the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.

After losing the opener on Thursday night, Edwards allowed a run and loaded the bases in the fifth. After walking a run home with a full-count ball, Edwards was clearly in pain and had to be pulled.

Despite allowing three earned runs in one inning on Friday, Edwards has been arguably the Tigers’ most reliable arm out of the bullpen this season. Prior to his appearance against the Gamecocks, he had a 4-0 record and 0.81 ERA in 22.1 innings pitched while also recording a save.

It’s the latest in a long line of tough injuries to the pitching staff. Projected weekend starter [autotag]Grant Taylor[/autotag] was injured during the preseason, as were 2022 signees [autotag]Kaleb Appleby[/autotag] and [autotag]Jaden Noot[/autotag]. Freshman Chase Shores suffered an injury in the Tennessee series, and his status is unclear.

Coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] likely will not address Edwards’ status after Game 2 because it’s the first game in a doubleheader, but we’ll keep you posted with any updates.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=611345007]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

[mm-video type=video id=01gxa0qa6cbgapy6xx3k playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gxa0qa6cbgapy6xx3k/01gxa0qa6cbgapy6xx3k-29ddb033d33ed15ef6ab00eddfd4b3d2.jpg]

Jordan Thompson and Paul Skenes lead LSU to a win in Game 1 vs. Tennessee

The most anticipated series of the season has begun on the bayou.

The most anticipated series of the season has begun on the Bayou. The LSU Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers went toe-to-toe in front of a sold-out crowd at Alex Box Stadium, and coach Jay Johnson’s team survived in a 5-2 win to start the series the right way.

The pitching matchup for night one could not have been better. Two of the best pitchers in the country, [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] and [autotag]Chase Dollander[/autotag], took part in a pitcher’s duel that mirrored a high noon showdown between outlaws.

LSU threatened in the first two innings but couldn’t plate any runs. In the top of the fifth, Tennessee drew first blood on an RBI single to give itself a 1-0 lead.

LSU got that run back and added one as [autotag]Gavin Dugas[/autotag] hit a two-run bomb to score [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] and give LSU a 2-1 lead after five innings. The biggest crowd in Alex Box Stadium history might have registered on the Richter scale when the ball left the stadium.

Skenes’ night was done after he pitched seven innings as he gave up only one run on five hits, one walk and 12 strikeouts. He extended his streak of double-digit strikeout games to seven as well. [autotag]Nate Ackenhausen[/autotag] came in to pitch the eighth inning for the Tigers.

After getting the first batter to fly out, the next hitter singled up the middle and then advanced all the way to third after two wild pitches. That chased Ackenhausen from the game as [autotag]Garrett Edwards[/autotag] came in facing a full count with a runner on third and one out.

Tennessee tied the game on the next pitch as they scored on an RBI single to make it 2-2. Edwards got the next two hitters out and we headed to the bottom of the eighth tied 2-2.

In the bottom of the eighth, after [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] and [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag] got out, [autotag]Cade Beloso[/autotag] reached on an error, [autotag]Paxton Kling[/autotag] hit an infield single, [autotag]Josh Pearson[/autotag] was hit by a pitch and the bases were loaded. Thompson stepped into the batter’s box and proceeded to clear the bases with a three-RBI double to give LSU a 5-2 lead after eight innings!

Edwards stayed on the mound to pitch the ninth inning to try and close the game with a win. He got the first batter to fly out but the next two batters reached base. One was due to an error and the other was a single. That put runners on the corners with one out. The tying run then came to the plate. Edwards struck out the next batter for out number two. The next batter flew out to center field and the Tigers won 5-2!

It was the first win for LSU over Tennessee since 2018 and that win moved LSU to 23-3 (its best start since 2015). Game 2 will be Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=611345007]

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

[mm-video type=video id=01gwj5dvhjzbbcdcw7z3 playlist_id=01eqbz5s7cf4w69e0n player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gwj5dvhjzbbcdcw7z3/01gwj5dvhjzbbcdcw7z3-68ce8e97b449b2c085040093417f5f6b.jpg]