watkins .....

thanks i had heard alot longer

Mark Saltz/The Advocate

LSU's Trey Watkins will be out at least 3-4 weeks after dislocating his left elbow Friday.

By RANDY ROSETTA
Advocate sportswriter

LSU coach Paul Mainieri has consciously avoided making any major changes in the Tigers’ lineup this season because he liked the chemistry that developed through fall practice and the preseason.

Now his hand is forced considerably and his options seem to be various.

Sophomore left fielder and leadoff hitter Trey Watkins is out for a minimum 3-4 weeks after dislocating his left elbow Friday when he and shortstop Austin Nola collided as they converged on a foul popup in No. 4-ranked LSU’s 4-3 victory against Georgia at Alex Box Stadium.

X-rays revealed no fractures or structural damage to the soft tissue around the joint. Mainieri said doctors told him they were optimistic that the elbow would heal quickly and sufficiently without surgery.

But Watkins’ absence creates a huge void in the Tigers’ lineup, particularly offensively.

“We have to regroup and somebody is going to have to step in for him and get the job done,” Mainieri said Friday.

Nothing to be worried about. We always have someone who will step up when we need it.