Following a hard-fought series win over Duke, Miami Hurricanes head coach J.D. Arteaga addressed the media to provide several important injury updates that will have a major impact on the team’s roster moving forward. While the Hurricanes emerged victorious over a tough Blue Devils squad, the series came with a cost as key contributors sustained injuries that could influence Miami’s lineup and rotation in the crucial weeks ahead.
Arteaga, in his first season at the helm following Gino DiMare’s departure, has already faced his share of challenges managing injuries and lineup changes. The most notable updates involved right-handed pitcher Nick Robert and power-hitting outfielder Derek Williams—both players who have played significant roles for the Hurricanes throughout the 2025 season. Their absence moving forward could shake up not only the weekend rotation, but also Miami’s offensive firepower in the middle of the order.
Nick Robert, a sophomore who has served as Miami’s Friday night starter for most of the season, has been shut down indefinitely with a right elbow injury that was officially diagnosed as a bone spur and partial tear in the UCL. Robert had been experiencing discomfort for several weeks, but had attempted to pitch through it. Arteaga confirmed that despite Robert’s velocity remaining relatively high, his command began to deteriorate noticeably in recent outings—a red flag that something more serious was going on structurally.
According to Arteaga, Robert had been evaluated by the team’s medical staff and underwent imaging that revealed the extent of the damage. The injury will require surgery, ending his season prematurely. This is a major blow to the Hurricanes’ rotation, as Robert brought both experience and poise to the mound. While his 2025 stats were mixed—posting a 2-4 record and a 7.14 ERA over 29 innings—Robert had frequently pitched against top-line competition and often kept Miami in games deep into the night. His ability to eat innings and attack hitters with his mid-90s fastball and sharp breaking ball will be sorely missed as Miami heads into the heart of its ACC schedule.
Arteaga spoke candidly about the difficulty of losing Robert. “He’s a competitor, and he wanted to keep pitching,” he said. “But we have to think about his long-term health and what’s best for him. He gave us everything he had, and now it’s time for him to get healthy and come back stronger.”
The Hurricanes will now look to reshuffle their rotation, with junior Carlos De La Cruz and freshman southpaw Nate Holmes likely candidates to step into starting roles. De La Cruz has primarily served in a long-relief role this season but has shown flashes of brilliance, including a six-inning scoreless outing against NC State earlier in the year. Holmes, on the other hand, brings a crafty mix of off-speed pitches and deception that Arteaga hopes will translate well to weekend action.
On the offensive side, the Hurricanes were dealt another tough blow when junior outfielder Derek Williams exited Saturday’s win over Duke after experiencing pain in his right hand during a swing. Arteaga confirmed that Williams has been dealing with minor discomfort in the hand for weeks, but the injury was aggravated during a check-swing late in the game. He did not return for Sunday’s series finale.
Initial evaluations suggest that the injury may involve ligament damage, and Williams is scheduled for additional tests to determine the full extent. Arteaga expressed concern about the possibility of a longer absence but said the team will wait for medical confirmation before making any long-term decisions. Williams had emerged as a consistent presence in the Hurricanes’ lineup, especially against left-handed pitching, where he was batting .370 with four home runs and 11 RBIs in just 14 appearances. His absence leaves a noticeable gap in the middle of the order, where his power and clutch hitting have bailed the team out on more than one occasion.
“Derek’s a big part of what we do,” Arteaga said. “He’s got the kind of swing that changes games. We’re hoping for the best, but we’ll be prepared to adjust if he’s out for a while.”
Replacing Williams’ production will be no small task. Sophomore outfielder Kai Daniels and freshman switch-hitter Julian Ortega are expected to see increased playing time, with Ortega likely slotting in as the everyday right fielder. Daniels, who had been used primarily as a defensive substitute and pinch runner, now has the opportunity to earn consistent at-bats. Ortega, meanwhile, has impressed in limited action with his plate discipline and opposite-field power.
While the injuries to Robert and Williams understandably cast a shadow over the Duke series win, Arteaga emphasized the importance of moving forward with a “next man up” mentality. The Hurricanes, now sitting at 23-13 overall and back above .500 in ACC play, have shown flashes of being a dangerous postseason team when healthy. However, maintaining that level of competitiveness will now depend on the team’s depth and resilience.
Arteaga praised the way his team has responded to adversity so far this season, particularly the way they bounced back after losing the opening game of the Duke series. Miami rallied to take the next two games in convincing fashion, getting big performances from senior shortstop Anthony Colón and sophomore catcher Dylan Martinez. Colón, in particular, stepped up with a two-run homer in Sunday’s win and continues to serve as a steadying force both offensively and defensively.
The Hurricanes’ bullpen also rose to the occasion over the weekend, with relievers like A.J. Torres and Jonathan Ruiz combining for seven shutout innings across the final two games. Torres has quietly emerged as a reliable setup man, while Ruiz’s high-80s slider continues to generate swing-and-miss in key situations.
With key players down, Arteaga knows his margin for error narrows. The Hurricanes face a brutal stretch of conference games in the coming weeks, including a pivotal home series against Georgia Tech and road trips to Louisville and Virginia. Each series will carry postseason implications, and Miami will have to rely heavily on its bench and back-end pitching to stay competitive.
“We’ve got guys who are ready,” Arteaga said. “They’ve been working all year for their shot. Now it’s about stepping up when your number’s called.”
Miami’s training staff will continue to monitor both Robert and Williams closely, and there’s still hope that Williams could return before the end of the regular season, depending on the results of his upcoming scans. Robert, however, will begin the recovery process from surgery with an eye on returning for fall ball next season. Arteaga and his staff have already begun tweaking their lineup and rotation accordingly, and how those changes perform under pressure will likely determine whether Miami can remain in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament berth.
Despite the injuries, there is no panic within the program. Arteaga has cultivated a culture of toughness and adaptability, and the players have bought in. As the Hurricanes prepare for the next challenge, they’ll do so without two of their stars—but not without confidence.
“Adversity is part of baseball,” Arteaga said. “It’s not about what happens to you—it’s how you respond. And I believe in this group.”
Miami will need that belief to carry them through the next few weeks, as the grind of the ACC continues. With young talent ready to emerge and veterans leading the way, the Hurricanes are hoping to weather the storm—and come out stronger on the other side.