Wegner's status questionable with fracture in thumb

Arkansas outfielder Jared Wegner (11) walks to first, Tuesday, April 11, 2023 during the first inning of a baseball game at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery.......(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas left fielder Jared Wegner is questionable to play in the Razorbacks’ series opener against Tennessee on Friday due to a hairline fracture in his left thumb. 

Wegner injured his thumb while sliding into third base during the first inning of a game against Arkansas-Little Rock on Tuesday. He did not play Wednesday when the Razorbacks lost 11-4 to UALR at Baum-Walker Stadium. 

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said following the game that Wegner’s availability is “50-50” for Friday.

“It’s not a clean break or anything,” Van Horn said. “It’s more of a hairline fracture, but very painful right now. But I think if anybody can handle the pain it’s probably him.

“We’ll know more tomorrow and I don’t think it’ll be until Friday [that] I’ll know if I’m going to write him in the lineup. He’s going to have to show me that he can play.” 

Wegner’s injury is to his non-dominant, glove hand. Van Horn said Wegner is still able to grip a bat.

“If you hurt your top hand it’s going to affect you more than the bottom hand, I would think,” Van Horn said. “It’s more about the pain and him not thinking about that thumb. If he shows me tomorrow that he can hit a little bit, or Friday, I’d probably go with him. But we won’t know for a day or two.” 

Wegner is batting .351 and leads Arkansas with 12 home runs and 44 RBI. D1Baseball.com named him a mid-season All-American last week. 

He started the first 32 games before sitting out Wednesday.

Hand injuries have been persistent during Wegner’s college career. While at Creighton, Wegner broke a hamate bone five games into the 2020 season. 

He played in 17 games in 2021 before requiring another season-ending surgery to address the same injury. 

“He’s a tough guy,” Arkansas first baseman Brady Slavens said. “To break your thumb and still have a chance to play is crazy. So that just tells you everything you need to know about Jared.” 

Slavens said Wegner was in good spirits before Wednesday’s game. 

“He just wants to do whatever is best for the team, whether he’s ready to go or not,” Slavens said. “If he’s not, he has full faith in anybody that steps in for him and has his back. 

“He’s a really good player. He’s going to bounce back.” 

Hunter Grimes started in left field for Wegner on Wednesday. Van Horn said Grimes and right fielder Jace Bohrofen are options to play in left field if Wegner is unavailable.

If Bohrofen plays left field, designated hitter Kendall Diggs can play in right.

“There’s options there,” Van Horn said.