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Liam Doyle injury update: Tony Vitello reveals Tennessee pitcher's availability during Wake Forest game

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax06/02/25BarkleyTruax
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Tennessee's Liam Doyle (Photo via Tennessee Athletics)

2025 SEC Pitcher of the year Liam Doyle is available for Tennessee against Wake Forest in the Knoxville Regional championship game. Head coach Tony Vitello updated his status on Monday after appearing in the dugout in uniform.

“Just want to feel good about the circumstances,” Vitello said on the ESPN2 broadcast. “He wanted to go yesterday, trust me, he wanted to. I’ve already said it to you guys on and off air. But whoever’s got that guy, whatever you get on the mound is gravy. Whatever you get in the clubhouse and in the locker room and in the dugout, it’s going to be freaking A+ Hall of Fame.”

Getting Doyle into Monday’s game isn’t guaranteed, and will likely be based on whether or not his services are needed in the specific situation. If Tennessee jumps out to a multi-run lead, it may be best for the Tennessee coach to save his ace for the Super Regional.

Doyle, who is currently projected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, is someone no batter wants to face at the plate. After all, he could very well be the second highest drafted player in program history. During the regular season alone, Doyle pitched to a 6-3 record with a 3.51 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 10 conference starts on his way to earning all SEC honors.

“Overall, he’s in a positive place and we don’t see any concerns,” Vitello said. “Just like all of our players, he needs to be true to himself. I think arguably his best outing was when he was on his toes going back to where he played last year (Ole Miss) and was focused on what he was trying to do because he kinda knew the unique circumstances there. I think that’s what all of our guys need to do… just be who they are.”

Doyle transferred into the Tennessee program after playing one season at Ole Miss. He began his career with Coastal Carolina.

If Tennessee can hold on, the reigning national champions will head to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas in the Super Regional. The Razorbacks swept their competition in their regional over the weekend as the No. 3 overall seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament and will look to do the same against the winner of the Knoxville Regional this weekend.