By JAMES MORAN | Tiger Rag Associate Editor
UPDATE: 2/12/07 at 10:30 p.m.
Greg Deichmann underwent facial surgery Sunday morning but hasn’t yet been ruled out for Friday’s season opener, LSU announced via an official release. LSU will make an announcement regarding his status for Friday during a media availability session Thursday — and not before that.
The slugger broke suffered three fractures to his cheek after getting hit by a pitch under the ear flap of his helmet during a scrimmage Friday night. He’s being evaluated “day to day,” according to the release.
ORIGINAL POST
LSU slugger Greg Deichmann’s status for Opening Night is uncertain after getting hit in the face by a pitch during a scrimmage Friday night.
A CT scan Friday night revealed Deichmann had suffered three fractures to his cheek bone, LSU coach Paul Mainieri confirmed Saturday. There’s presently no timeline on how long — if at all — Deichmann will be out, but Mainieri said he’ll know more once Deichmann sees a specialist Monday.
Mainieri confirmed Deichmann will likely require facial surgery. The pitch, thrown by freshman Blair Frederick, hit Deichmann under the ear flap of his helmet. The damage is to his Zygomatic bone, Mainieri confirmed. He’ll wear some type of protective facemask once he’s healthy enough to play, Mainieri said.
The junior led the Tigers in both home runs and runs batted in a season ago. He was slated to serve as the Tigers’ everyday right fielder this year and bat either third or fourth in the lineup.
It’s the second injury to a critical player LSU has sustained this week. All-SEC DH Bryce Jordan suffered a knee injury in a scrimmage Tuesday that’ll require season-ending surgery.
With that in mind, Mainieri has taken the precaution of cancelling the remainder of LSU’s scrimmages between now and Friday’s season-opener against Air Force. Instead, he said, pitchers will throw simulated games to continue to build up arm strength.
“I think the guys are ready to go,” Mainieri said. “I want to minimize the risk to the players until then.”
As for who may step in for Deichmann in the interim, sophomore Brennan Breaux took fly balls in right field during practice Saturday. Breaux himself has been battling arm soreness, and Mainieri said he’s presently in a rehab throwing program.
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