LSU’s 2025 baseball season has taken a significant blow as the program announced that junior right-handed pitcher Griffin Herring is set to undergo season-ending surgery. The news comes as a gut punch to a Tigers team that entered the year with high expectations and has already faced its fair share of adversity. Herring, one of the team’s most reliable arms, had emerged as a steady force out of the bullpen and an occasional spot starter, showcasing poise, control, and an ability to miss bats that few on the roster could replicate. Now, with Herring’s season officially over, LSU will be forced to recalibrate both its rotation and its bullpen strategy as it marches deeper into SEC play and beyond.
The Tigers’ coaching staff confirmed that Herring will undergo surgery on his throwing elbow next week after tests revealed structural damage consistent with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), commonly requiring Tommy John surgery. Although the program has not officially labeled the procedure as such, sources close to the team have indicated that it’s the likely route. If confirmed, the surgery would come with a rehabilitation timeline of approximately 12–15 months, meaning Herring will not only miss the remainder of the 2025 season but could also be sidelined for a significant portion of the 2026 campaign, should he return to Baton Rouge.
Herring, a Texas native and former four-star recruit, had been one of the most effective relievers for LSU this season, compiling a 1.89 ERA over 23 innings of work. He struck out 31 batters while walking just six, holding opponents to a .196 batting average. His ability to come into high-leverage situations and consistently deliver outs had made him a key piece in head coach Jay Johnson’s bullpen plans. Whether protecting narrow leads or stopping opposing rallies, Herring had become the Tigers’ go-to arm when games got tight. In several instances this season, Johnson called upon him in back-to-back games, citing his resilience and clean mechanics as reasons for trust.
His absence will be deeply felt not just statistically, but emotionally and strategically. Herring was a respected presence in the locker room, known for his competitive fire, his sense of humor, and his intense preparation. Teammates described him as someone who “set the tone” in the bullpen and on the practice field. More than that, he had begun to attract attention from MLB scouts, with some pegging him as a Day 2 selection in this summer’s draft. Whether or not he’ll choose to turn pro despite the injury remains to be seen, but sources indicate that he will weigh his options in the coming months, especially depending on how the surgery and recovery process begin.
For LSU, the timing couldn’t be worse. The Tigers are entering a brutal stretch of their SEC schedule with series looming against Arkansas, Tennessee, and Florida. While the starting rotation has had its moments of brilliance, consistency has been a challenge. Herring often served as the bridge between the starter and closer, an increasingly valuable role in today’s game where few pitchers go deep into the sixth or seventh inning. Without him, Johnson will likely turn to a combination of younger arms and less-tested veterans to fill the gap. Freshmen like Cade Reynolds and Jackson Williams could see an uptick in usage, and senior Ben Nippolt, a two-way player, might be asked to throw more innings depending on matchups.
The team is also evaluating whether sophomore righty Chase Shores, who is coming off a rehab stint of his own, is ready to take on more responsibility. Shores, who missed the first few weeks of the season recovering from a shoulder issue, has flashed potential in limited outings, but his command and stamina remain works in progress. Regardless of who steps up, the loss of Herring’s consistency will be tough to replicate. He had reached a point this season where his appearance on the mound gave the team confidence, no matter the situation.
Jay Johnson acknowledged as much in a media availability following the announcement. “Griffin’s one of those guys you dream of coaching,” Johnson said. “He’s reliable, he’s competitive, and he’s always the first one to say, ‘Give me the ball.’ Losing him is hard—not just for what he brings statistically, but what he means to this group. We’re all behind him and we know he’ll come back stronger than ever.”
This is not the first injury LSU has dealt with on the mound this year. Earlier in the season, sophomore reliever Sam Dutton missed time due to forearm tightness, and starter Thatcher Hurd has been working his way back from a slow start, battling both control issues and minor physical setbacks. The constant reshuffling has tested the depth of LSU’s staff, and Herring’s absence only amplifies the need for other arms to emerge.
There’s also the question of morale. LSU began the 2025 season ranked in the top five nationally, thanks to a mix of returning stars and promising newcomers. But a string of inconsistent performances, coupled with injuries and offensive lulls, have left the Tigers hovering on the edge of the top 25. Losing one of their clubhouse leaders at this juncture could be a momentum killer if not handled carefully.
Senior catcher Hayden Travinski expressed the mood of the team after practice. “It’s tough, man. Griff’s our guy. He’s the type of dude who makes everyone around him better,” Travinski said. “We’re hurting for him, but we know how strong he is. We’re gonna rally and honor him with how we play.”
Herring’s development at LSU had been steady and promising. As a freshman, he appeared in just six games, primarily in low-leverage situations. By his sophomore year, however, he had carved out a more prominent role, showcasing an improved fastball that touched 94 mph and a devastating slider that generated plenty of swings and misses. This season, scouts noted that his changeup had become a legitimate third pitch, giving him starter potential at the next level. His demeanor and poise on the mound made him look older than his years, and more than one SEC coach had praised Herring for his ability to disrupt hitters’ timing with an efficient, repeatable delivery.
Now, the focus shifts to recovery and long-term health. Tommy John surgery, while no longer the career-ender it once was, remains a grueling process. It involves months of physical therapy, a strict throwing program, and no guarantees. But many pitchers have returned even stronger, with added velocity and more refined mechanics. For Herring, who is known for his work ethic, the road will be challenging but not unfamiliar. He has battled adversity before—nagging injuries in high school and long stints without innings early in his college career—and emerged each time with a sharpened edge.
While the immediate impact is significant, LSU remains hopeful that the team can absorb the loss and continue to compete at a high level. The Tigers have enough talent on the roster to make noise in the postseason, and adversity has a way of galvanizing a group. But there’s no question that losing Herring changes the calculus. It shifts the burden onto younger players and forces the coaching staff to get creative with matchups and innings distribution. In a conference as competitive as the SEC, every arm matters—and LSU just lost one of its best.
As the team prepares for its upcoming weekend series, there’s a noticeable void. The familiar figure of Griffin Herring, with his ever-present glove and steady gaze from the dugout rail, won’t be jogging out to the bullpen or trotting in from the outfield fence. But his impact lingers in every pitcher he mentored, every game he steadied, and every teammate who watched him compete with unwavering focus. His season may be over, but his presence—like his influence—remains deeply felt.
For Herring, the journey ahead will be filled with uncertainty, but also opportunity. Whether he returns to LSU next year or takes his talents to the professional level post-rehab, there’s little doubt he’ll continue to pitch with the same tenacity and resolve that made him one of the Tigers’ most valuable players. For now, the purple and gold faithful will have to wait, hope, and believe that this setback is merely a setup for a stronger, more determined return.