Tony Vitello outlines AJ Russell's return from injury for Tennessee baseball in SEC Tournament

AJ Russell is on the cusp of returning for Tennessee baseball.

Vols coach Tony Vitello indicated Monday he plans to pitch Russell in one of UT's first two games in the SEC Tournament. Russell has not pitched since March 23 while battling arm soreness.

"We'll see ... where is the best spot to insert him," Vitello said. "All we're guaranteed is two games. So somewhere in those first two games."

The No. 1 seed Vols play Wednesday (5:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network) against the winner of No. 8 Vanderbilt (35-20, 13-17) and No. 9 Florida (28-26, 13-17) at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama. Tennessee earned a bye to the double-elimination portion of the bracket as a top-four seed.

UT is the No. 1 seed as SEC co-champions and owners of the tiebreaker with co-champs Kentucky by virtue of beating the Wildcats in a regular-season series.

AJ Russell is returning for Tennessee baseball in SEC Tournament

Russell threw a bullpen Monday as his final work before returning for the Vols in Hoover.

The 6-foot-6 Russell has progressed through bullpens to throwing with batters in the box to live at-bats. The latter was the final stamp of approval in Vitello's eyes in order to get Russell back in the fold after missing two months with arm issues.

"He’ll pitch for us at some point (in Hoover)," Vitello said Sunday after the Vols swept South Carolina. "I think the key for him and also our team to recognize is he’s not coming to save the day. ... When he gets into the mix, he is not going to be built up to start or anything crazy. We’re looking for five, maybe six outs a week that can support our staff if he’s called on to do so.

"I think he will be ready to do that."

Russell had to stop, at times, in his work to return and had to "even kind of backpedal," Vitello said. Tennessee's staff has pitched well enough to allow Russell to take his time. The Vols rank third nationally with a 3.68 ERA, while ranking among the best in the nation in walks per nine innings and strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Vitello stated Russell's return gives the Vols depth and options as he has been a starter and a reliever so Tennessee can "feel better about various scenarios when we plan as coaches."

AJ Russell entered the season as Tennessee baseball's Friday starter

Russell left his second start of the season against Albany on Feb. 23 with side soreness. He did not return until March 17 against Alabama, then was injured against a week later against Ole Miss.

Russell took over Tennessee's Friday night starter spot as a sophomore. He struck out 10 in 4⅓ innings on Feb. 16 against Texas Tech, including getting the first eight outs of the game via strikeout. He allowed two runs on three hits and a walk.

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The Franklin, Tennessee, native struck out four in three innings against Albany before leaving the game. He allowed three hits and walked one.

Russell started against Alabama in his return, striking out two and allowing one run on two hits in two innings. He struggled against Ole Miss in his last outing before departing with arm issues. He walked six, allowed two hits and surrendered four runs. He struck out three in three innings.

Russell was 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA in 30⅓ innings with 47 strikeouts as a freshman. He made 24 appearances with one start.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: AJ Russell injury update: Tennessee pitcher back for SEC Tournament