After a season of uncertainty and relentless efforts to get him back on the mound, LSU head coach Jay Johnson confirmed that junior right-handed pitcher Gavin Guidry will be shut down for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Guidry, who was a key piece of LSU’s bullpen in the 2023 championship team and continues to be a crucial arm to the mix, has battled a lingering back injury since early February. He will undergo a procedure on Friday that is expected to sideline him for the next 3-4 months, but Johnson is enthusiastic about a quick recovery.
Guidry had a 2.59 ERA last season with 24.1 innings of work. He only allowed 14 hits and seven earned runs while walking 18 batters and striking out 36 out of the 106 batters he faced.
“This is a tough break for Gavin, but we will be fine,” Johnson said. “The last time he pitched was Feb. 7 before the season, and he was scheduled to pitch, but on Feb. 19, he threw a bullpen before that and then woke up not feeling well. After that, we got an MRI and immediately began treatment to try to get him to the point of playing.”
Guidry’s absence is a major blow to the Tigers’ bullpen depth, especially as SEC play heats up going into the post-season.
Johnson admitted that the team had hoped to ease him back into action mid-season, but after repeated setbacks and his body not responding to different treatments, the staff continued to try. They went to multiple sources to put the pieces together of this deeper-rooted problem.
“I think there is some peace of mind now, but we are trying hard to get him back,” Johnson said. “Luckily for us, we have guys like [freshman pitcher Mavrick] Rizy, [freshman pitcher Cooper] Williams, [junior pitcher Jacob] Mayers. Those are guys we are really excited to add to the mix.”
With Guidry officially out with this back injury, LSU now turns to its younger arms to fill the void, particularly in the crucial third game of the weekend series.
One of the biggest names expected to step up is redshirt sophomore Chase Shores. He’s been the Sunday starter and then shortly after, the bullpen relievers come in. Back in action after missing last season due to Tommy John surgery, Shores has been building momentum and is now expected to take on a more consistent Sunday starter role.
However, the freshman Rizy continues his dominance on the mound and can help support Shores in relief even with Guidry’s absence.
“When your name is called, just continue to be ready and continue to work,” Rizy said. “Even though Gavin is out, he is the first one on the rail every time, and he’s really the only voice I can hear on the mound.”
Behind Shores, LSU will lean heavily on a mix of young talent and emerging contributors. Freshmen like Casan Evans and Rizy have been impressed with limited action, while lefty Conner Ware could see increased innings depending on matchups.
LSU, currently ranked No. 7 in the country, sits at 32-6 and remains a national title contender. However, with the SEC series often decided in the Sunday match, the bullpen’s ability to adapt without Guidry could be pivotal when it comes down to the wire.
Guidry was named to the 2025 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List prior to the season.
