Tony Vitello updates status of Tennessee pitcher Tanner Wiggins after foul ball incident
Tony Vitello said on Monday that Tennessee pitcher Tanner Wiggins is back home at his apartment after undergoing emergency oral surgery late Saturday night, after getting hit in the mouth with a foul ball in the dugout during the 4-1 loss to Kentucky at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
“Tanner’s teammates rallied around him in a pretty impressive fashion,” Vitello said Monday morning during an appearance on WNML-FM in Knoxville. “Some of those guys were at the hospital really late. I think he went into surgery about 11:30 or midnight (Saturday) night. His family was able to rush and make it up, so I know his dad is here now.
“He’s now back at home at his apartment, which is impressive, following surgery on his jaw.”
Tanner Wiggins has appeared in four games for Tennessee this season
Vitello said after Saturday night’s game that Tennessee team trainer Jeff Wood was with Wiggins and said that Wiggins “was able to talk a little bit.” On Monday Vitello added that the incident led to Wiggins losing “a couple teeth” that doctors could not save.
“So they’ll have to work on that at some point with some implants,” Vitello said, calling the situation “distressing.”
“When you’re talking about a scary situation like that,” he added, “you always think or look to the fact that it could be worse.”
Wiggins, a 6-foot-2, 189-pound sophomore right-hander from North Richland Hills, Texas, has appeared in four games this season, pitching 2.1 innings. He’s given up just one hit with four strikeouts and four walks. He pitched one inning against UNC Asheville on February 18, 0.1 innings against Rice on March 1 and 0.1 against St. Bonaventure on March 9.
His last outing was against Bellarmine on April 15, when he pitched 0.2 innings with one strikeout.
‘He sent a message yesterday to me and the team about wanting to already be back’
Wiggins appeared in 19 games last season at Weatherford Junior College in Texas with a 2-2 record and a 1.40 ERA. He struck out 32 batters in 25.2 innings pitched.
“The one thing about Tanner that is pretty unique, I can’t think of anything negative to tell you,” Vitello said. “He’s a kid who came in with a lot of fanfare and could have been a draft pick last year and hasn’t been able to throw the ball quite as well as capable (this season). His opportunities have been limited, too.”
Vitello said Wiggins has sent messages to his teammates and coaches since leaving the hospital.
“It’s quite impressive how positive his attitude already is,” Vitello said. “He sent a message yesterday to me and the team about wanting to already be back and wishing us well and putting the team first, which he always does.”
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