Pitcher Sosa out for now with a shoulder injury
CORAL GABLES — The Hurricanes will open the season Friday when they host Rutgers, but things are getting off to a bit of a rocky start for the program.
No. 6 Miami, which is looking to return to Omaha andthe CollegeWorld Series for a second consecutive year, will be without starting pitcher Enrique Sosa for an undetermined amount of time as the junior works to rehabilitate a tear in his shoulder, Hurricanes coach JimMorris said.
The Hurricanes will also be without reliever Derik Beauprez (3-2, 5.62 ERA in 2015) this season after the pitcher was dismissed from the team after violating an undisclosed team rule. Infielder Brandon Lopez is suspended to start the season and junior college transfer Randy Batista, a middle infielder, has missed three weeks of practice while dealing with a hyperextended right elbow, Morris said. The length of Lopez’s suspension is undetermined. Outfielder Justin Smith is suspended indefinitely, also for violating an undisclosed team rule.
The veteran coach, though, remains optimistic that both Sosa — who was 7-5 last year with a 4.35 ERA — and Batista will return to the field sooner rather than later, he saidTuesday.
“I’m looking to June,” Morris said. “That’s when I want to have everyone healthy, in June.”
More news and notes from Miami’s annual baseball media day Tuesday at Mark Light Field:
Catcher Zack Collins, named a first-team preseason All-American by Louisville Slugger and D1Baseball.com, knows he’ll be one of the most-watched ACC underclassmen. The former American HeritagePlantation star is ready for the scrutiny and speculation about his future.
And yes, the junior expects he’ll have a tough decision to make later this year after the MLB Draft, though he said if some of the higher draft projections hold true, this likely will be his last year at Miami.
Baseball America has CollinsNo. 29amongdraft-eligible college prospects.
“I’ve gotten a lot of advice from guys that have gone through the draft and stuff like that here, and they just told me to go out there and have fun my junior year, don’t worry about anything, and everything will take care of itself,” said Collins, who hit .302 with 70 RBI and 15 home runs last year.
After starting his college career in the Miami bullpen, left-hander MichaelMediavillahasworkedhiswayinto the Hurricanes’ starting rotation. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound sophomore says he learned about his new role in recent weeks after a strong offseason.
He’s expected to be Miami’s No. 2 starter behind Cardinal Gibbons alum ThomasWoodrey (7-2, 2.88 ERA in 2015), while Danny Garcia (7-1, 3.69 ERA) will be theHurricanes’No. 3 starter.
One of the more enduring images from last year’s postseason run for the Hurricanes was the towering home run outfielder Willie Abreu, a fan favorite, hit in Miami’s regional championship win over Columbia.
Later that night, Abreu said his mother, Rosy Abreu, was dealing with a serious health issue, one that forced doctors to shave her hair in preparation for surgery. As a tribute to her, Abreu shaved off his trademarkMohawk.
Tuesday, Abreu was all smiles talking about his mother’s improved health.
“I’m excited to keep watching her get better,” said Abreu, whohit .288 last year. “She’s doing amazing. Hopefully we can get her out to some games this year.”