Mississippi State pitcher diagnosed with mild forearm strain

Return timetable unclear for Bulldogs' ace Ryan McPherson

Mar. 25, 2026 at 3:36am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Mississippi State head baseball coach Brian O'Connor announced that starting pitcher Ryan McPherson has been diagnosed with a mild forearm strain after an MRI scan. While the injury is not as serious as a potential Tommy John surgery, O'Connor said there is no timetable yet for McPherson's return to the mound.

Why it matters

McPherson is the ace of the Mississippi State pitching staff, so his injury could have a significant impact on the Bulldogs' season. The team will need to rely on other pitchers to step up while McPherson recovers, which could affect their competitiveness in SEC play.

The details

McPherson suffered the injury during his start against Vanderbilt last Friday. He was removed from the game after experiencing discomfort in his throwing arm. An MRI scan on Sunday revealed the mild forearm strain, with no damage to McPherson's ulnar collateral ligament. While the injury is not considered long-term, O'Connor said there is currently no timetable for McPherson's return and ruled out a comeback against Ole Miss this weekend.

  • McPherson was injured during his start against Vanderbilt on Friday, March 22, 2026.
  • McPherson underwent an MRI scan on Sunday, March 24, 2026.

The players

Ryan McPherson

The sophomore ace pitcher for the Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball team.

Brian O'Connor

The head baseball coach for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“First and foremost, I'll tell you, the ligament in his arm, his UCL, is absolutely pristine. There's no issues there at all.”

— Brian O'Connor, Head Baseball Coach

“There is no timetable to it right now. We're still consulting with doctors and stuff, but that is the diagnosis on Ryan McPherson: a mild forearm strain. We'll figure out in the coming days what we're looking at from a timetable standpoint.”

— Brian O'Connor, Head Baseball Coach

What’s next

The Bulldogs will continue to evaluate McPherson's recovery and consult with doctors to determine a timeline for his potential return to the mound.

The takeaway

While the injury to Mississippi State's ace pitcher Ryan McPherson is not as severe as initially feared, his absence could still have a significant impact on the team's performance in SEC play. The Bulldogs will need other pitchers to step up while McPherson recovers, testing the team's depth and resilience.