STARKVILLE — The plan for redshirt sophomore Ben Bracewell’s return to the mound has changed again.
Mississippi State University baseball coach John Cohen said the right-handed starting pitcher likely won’t see action this weekend due to concerns about his recovery from elbow soreness nearly a month ago.
Bracewell, who started MSU’s first game this season, has been scratched from his scheduled start at 7 p.m. Friday night in game one of a three-game series against No. 13 LSU. Bracewell was scheduled to return to the rotation after experiencing soreness in his pitching elbow.
Cohen said he is undecided who will get the start Friday as No. 21 MSU (14-5) tries to rebound from losing two games to Southeastern Louisiana University in its Southeastern Conference-opening series in Baton Rouge, La.
Cohen told The Dispatch senior All-America reliever Caleb Reed is one of five pitchers the discussion to take get the starting nod.
“It’s not likely Caleb would get the ball, but possible if he doesn’t pitch (Wednesday night),” Cohen said.
Reed didn’t pitch Wednesday in a 5-1 loss at Southeastern Louisiana.
Bracewell told The Dispatch on Wednesday afternoon he has been doing long toss from 90 and 180 feet in the outfield and has had very little soreness in his pitching arm in the days following that work. The right-hander also had a MRI scan show no structural damage to his right elbow. The issue is the pain Bracewell continues to have in his arm days after he pitches.
“I really think it was an overcompensation deal where I hadn’t been out there in forever and just overthrew everything,” Bracewell said last week.
After returning from Tommy John surgery this season, Bracewell hasn’t surrender an earned run in 10 1/3 innings, but he felt severe discomfort after a March 3 start against the University of Connecticut.
Bracewell told The Dispatch on Wednesday afternoon he felt like he was “ready to go” but hadn’t talked to the MSU coaches about a plan of action.
“We want Ben to feel that way, and we love the fact he wants to pitch,” Cohen said. “We’re just going to be extra careful with him, and that’s means making it unlikely he’ll pitch this weekend.”
Bracewell’s injury doesn’t mean junior right-hander Chris Stratton will get his first start this weekend. MSU coaches and Stratton are satisfied with having the Tupelo native be the first option out of the bullpen on Friday nights this season. Even though MSU didn’t announce a starter for game one of the LSU series, coaches talked this week at Dudy Noble Field to find a starting pitcher to pair with Stratton while Bracewell gets his arm loose in his throwing program.
“We’re going to have to pitch it better than anybody we face,” Cohen said. “We’ll have to pitch and get some guys to defend.”.
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