STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University sophomore outfielder C.T. Bradford will likely be out of the active lineup this weekend as the Bulldogs travel to the University of Alabama.
MSU coach John Cohen told The Dispatch this week he must restart his rehabilitation from the start again after a violent collision Saturday when Bradford came together with senior outfielder Brent Brownlee leading to Bradford re-injuring his already ailing shoulder.
“We’re optimistic that he may be available at some point before the season is over but we understand the frustration that C.T. has with having to go completely through the process again,” Cohen said Monday.
Bradford told The Dispatch after Sunday’s win that he hadn’t received the MRI scan results on his shoulder and the decision to play would “be a family decision” to ensure what’s best for his future as a baseball player long term.
Bradford’s father Mike played third base for MSU from 1982-83 and the Florida resident was present for this weekend’s play.
As both Bradford and Brownlee ran full speed to make a catch, they collided leaving Bradford rolling around in pain and clutching his right shoulder as he checked out of the game.
“That will happen in some cases because most fans think you call the fly ball the minute it goes up but you don’t call it till you know you can get it,” Cohen said. “So when both guys are going full speed not sure they can get it, this can happen in a certain part of the field.”
MSU designated hitter Trey Porter was forced to take himself out of Sunday’s win after his first inning at-bat when he took a pitch off his right hand. The x-ray results were negative and the former Gulf Coast Community College standout is expected to be in the lineup Friday against the Crimson Tide.
Porter, who leads MSU (27-17, 10-11 in Southeastern Conference) in home runs with five, sustained an undisclosed injury to one of the metacarpal bones in his hand, the long bones that connect the hand to the wrist.
Cohen said the MSU training staff “has a plan” for redshirt freshman Wes Rea to make sure the 290-pound first baseman is in the lineup. Rea has now started 44 straight games at first base for the Bulldogs despite suffering from an apparent nerve injury in his right arm.
“There’s no doubt Wes has been playing hurt for a while now and his courage is something we appreciate no question about it,” Cohen said.
Rea, who is at time even struggling to properly grip the bat since suffering the injury, was seen constantly flexing his right arm and hand while in the batters box Sunday. The Bulldogs first baseman did have a run-producing sacrifice fly in the first inning and leads MSU in extra-base hits this season with 16.
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