Another week without Ranaudo
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| One more week that will test LSU’s pitching depth
By Carl Dubois
Tiger Rag Associate Editor
The news release from LSU was brief and to the point:
The recuperative period for LSU junior right-hander Anthony Ranaudo has been extended by one week, coach Paul Mainieri said Monday.
Ranaudo is experiencing discomfort in his throwing elbow that has been diagnosed as a stress reaction.
Mainieri said Ranaudo tested the elbow Monday in Alex Box Stadium by throwing a baseball for the first time in two weeks.
“Although Anthony felt it was much improved, he was still experiencing some of the same symptoms when he threw the ball today,” Mainieri said. “Therefore, we’re going to wait another week before deciding when he will return. We were hopeful he could pitch this weekend against Kansas, but we’re not going to put him on the mound until he feels 100 percent. We’ll evaluate Anthony’s condition again at this time next week.”
When the day began, LSU had a plan for the week, with a whole lotta “maybe” goin’ on. Now, the plan — which we talked about here — is under revision.
It’s gray and wet outside this morning, so I’m not convinced there will be baseball tonight at the Box, but Michael Reed is supposed to be LSU’s starter vs. UL-Monroe. After that? Best guess: Chris Matulis, if he’s over his soreness from late last week, with the start Wednesday night vs. Northwestern State in Shreveport. If he can’t go, then it could be Daniel Bradshaw now that LSU knows Ranaudo is a no-go this week.
For the three-game Kansas series: Friday, probably sophomore right-hander Joey Bourgeois; Saturday, freshman left-hander Jordan Rittiner; Sunday, junior right-hander Austin Ross.
There’s still a chance Ross could start in his hometown Wednesday at Fair Grounds Field against the Demons, but keep in mind the whole week could get rearranged by rain. And again, with Ranaudo definitely out for Sunday now, my bet is Mainieri wants Ross available for the weekend even if it means not being able to pitch in front of his fellow Captain Shreve alumni, friends and family in Shreveport.
What LSU pitching coach David Grewe said two weeks ago, after Ranaudo developed the discomfort in his elbow, is still true: LSU needs to spin this as a positive thing in terms of developing pitching depth and try to be that much better behind Ranaudo when he comes back.
That said, you know everyone in the program wanted the junior All-American power pitcher to be back on the mound this weekend.
More to come.
Carl Dubois is Tiger Rag’s lead reporter for LSU baseball. Contact him at carl@tigerrag.com.
Carl, we’re 10 games in an you haven’t posted your annual walk-up music list. Let’s have it. Reserves too.
Jacques,
I’ve been sprinkling in a few in the game blogs as they occur, but you’re right: I haven’t posted them for the players in the starting lineups like in the past. There are some technical mumbo-jumbo reasons for that, and some logistical problems, but I haven’t ruled it out yet for upcoming games. At the least I’ll get an updated list ASAP and post just for grins and giggles.
Do you have a favorite walk-up song from LSU baseball history?
Thanks for the comment.
Carl
I definitely remember the first time Nicky Pontiff came to bat his junior year and he had changed his song to “That Butt Thing” by Horace Trahan. My wife and I looked at each other — speechless at first — and started laughing. Hard. But my favorite was probably Waylon’s “Good Old Boys” that Will Harris used for a couple of years.