LSU suffered a major blow on Feb. 7 when designated hitter Bryce Jordan limped off the field with an apparent knee injury at practice.
Jordan is expected to miss the entire 2017 season, coach Paul Mainieri said.
Mainieri immediately stopped practice, as Jordan was able to walk off the field under his own power.
“That’s a pretty significant blow to us,” Mainieri said. “I thought [he] was probably the most improved hitter from last year that we have on our team … I anticipated he would be back in the middle of the order for us.”
The team received the results of an MRI showing damage to the knee which will require season ending surgery.
Jordan played 58 games, starting in 54 games, splitting time at designated hitter and first base.
Jordan batted .293 with five home runs and 33 RBI last season.
Despite the injury, Mainieri hopes this opens the door for younger players to step up.
“Experience tells me whenever something like this happens you can walk around and pout for your team and say, ‘Oh, man, we got this terrible thing for our team,’” Mainieri said. “It’s going to afford an opportunity to some players that maybe would not have had, before, because I thought Bryce was an everyday player for us, so it’s going to afford some opportunities to some other guys.”