Louisiana State righthander Anthony Ranaudo—the top-rated college pitcher in the 2010 draft class entering the season—will miss a third start this upcoming weekend due to a stress reaction in his throwing elbow.

Ranaudo threw five innings in the season's first weekend but hasn't pitched since then, and took the ball Monday for the first time in two weeks in a side session. LSU coach Paul Mainieri said in a press release Monday that the defending national champions were extending Ranaudo's "recuperative period" by a week after initially believing he could return for an upcoming series against Kansas. Now his earliest return would appear to be the Southeastern Conference opening series against Arkansas.

“Although Anthony felt it was much improved, he was still experiencing some of the same symptoms when he threw the ball today,” Mainieri said. “Therefore, we’re going to wait another week before deciding when he will return. We were hopeful he could pitch this weekend against Kansas, but we’re not going to put him on the mound until he feels 100 percent. We’ll evaluate Anthony’s condition again at this time next week.”

LSU, ranked No. 2 in the nation, is off to an 11-0 start despite Ranaudo's absence.