Texas Outfielder Max Belyeu Week-To-Week With Thumb Injury

Image credit: Max Belyeu (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Texas junior outfielder Max Belyeu is week-to-week with a thumb injury that will require surgery, multiple sources told Baseball America on Monday night.

The Longhorns are hopeful that Belyeu, who is BA’s No. 31 prospect in the 2025 draft, can return to action for the NCAA Tournament, if not sooner.

A 6-foot-2, 215-pound right fielder, Belyeu was putting together a career year prior to injuring his thumb Friday night against Missouri. The lefthanded hitter slashed .358/.465/.642 with six home runs, seven doubles, a triple, 22 RBIs and 24 strikeouts to 16 walks in 24 games, all of which were on pace to set new career highs.

With above-average power to the pull side, solid bat-to-ball skills and a plus arm, Belyeu was viewed as a potential first-round selection.

The No. 6 college outfielder in BA’s draft rankings, Belyeu’s absence is significant for a surging Texas team, which enters Week 8 of the regular season ranked No. 3 nationally.

Sophomore Easton Winfield and junior Jayden Duplantier are expected to fill in for Belyeu. They are batting .189 and .111, respectively, though neither player has recorded more than 40 at-bats.

Belyeu is not the only Longhorn who suffered an injury against Missouri, though the others are much less severe. Star freshman third baseman Adrian Rodriguez (upper body) and catcher Rylan Galvan (finger) are considered day-to-day, according to multiple sources.

“They do a good job of supporting each other and I think the game knows,” Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle told reporters over the weekend when asked about needing to use more reserves. “When you’re a good teammate, even though you’re not playing as much as you’d like, then the game rewards you when you get in there. Super excited for those guys that got a chance to play. Hopefully, we can get our regulars back healthy.”

Texas has looked like one of the most complete teams in the country through seven weeks. It will put that notion to the test this week with a midweek contest against Texas State and weekend home series against potent No. 4 Georgia.