Chris Lemonis offers injury update on Connor Hujsak

One of Mississippi State’s top hitters, Connor Hujsak, is still out with a back injury, and head coach Chris Lemonis didn’t give much of an update on his timeline with his latest comments.

Hujsak originally had to miss the Bulldogs’ away series vs. Arkansas last weekend and Lemonis had said he hoped to get him back by this weekend’s series against Missouri, the last of the regular season. However, Hujsak remains on the bench with what was described as a tweak to his back.

When speaking to media after MSU’s second victory in as many days over the Tigers, he was asked about Hujsak and gave a promising but ambiguous update on the star senior:

“He’s getting better, getting better every day. So, you know, we’ll see. Muscle stuff is just hard. You just can’t put a date on it.”

So, not much in the way of a timetable for when to expect Connor Hujsak back on the field. However, it is nice to hear Lemonis note that he’s progressing to some degree even as he remains out. After all, there’s no reason to rush him back at the end of this Missouri series when crucial postseason games are directly on the horizon.

Lemonis comments on lineup adjustment with Hujsak out

The absence of a versatile fielding option and a top hitter in Connor Hujsak has forced Chris Lemonis to tinker with the lineup a bit — especially when it comes to managing lineup changes towards the end of games.

“It’s huge right now with Connor out. We’re trying to play a little more offensive early and more defensive late,” he explained after the win Thursday evening, noting some specific guys who’ve stepped up without Hujsak.

“Amani (Larry) was ecstatic to be out there, as you could imagine. He’s played second base his whole life. Ethan (Pulliam) can play outfield out there too. Michael O’Brien is a young player that I’ve been running out there to centerfield and he’s probably the best defensive outfielder I’ve got so when I put him out there he’s going to run balls down and play hard. Nate Chester is just the old guy. I run him out there and he makes plays.”

Whether it’s Hujsak or another Bulldog player, Coach Lemonis understands that attrition is part of the game and that’s why you need to have other guys ready to step on the field when their number is called.

“We need them all. This time of year you need everybody and everybody is a little nicked up and banged up,” he added.

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