Tennessee Pulls Will Haas After Velocity Drop
The Volunteers' freshman pitcher was removed in the sixth inning of a 15-2 win over Georgia Tech at Erlanger Park.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Baseball
Tennessee baseball removed pitcher Will Haas from its game against Georgia Tech after his velocity dropped. Haas threw 15 pitches to three hitters before departing in the sixth inning of the Volunteers' 15-2 win at Erlanger Park.
Why it matters
Haas is a freshman who had elbow surgery before arriving at Tennessee and underwent an internal brace procedure rather than the full Tommy John procedure. Coaches said the decision was made out of caution to avoid taking risks with his recovery.
Haas threw 15 pitches and retired two batters while walking one before leaving the game, as Tennessee won 15-2. As a freshman he posted a 6.43 ERA over 14 innings with 23 strikeouts and five walks.
The players
Josh Elander
Elander is the head coach of the Tennessee baseball program who made the decision to remove Haas from the game.
Will Haas
Haas is a Tennessee freshman pitcher from Minnesota who was ranked as a prospect and had elbow surgery before joining the program.
The details
Haas got Georgia Tech's William Baker to ground into a fielder's choice, after which head coach Josh Elander and pitching coach Wood went to the mound and removed him. Elander said it was not worth the risk to keep Haas in the game and that he made the decision out of an abundance of caution.
Timeline
Last summer: Haas was up to 96-97 mph before his elbow recovery.
March 4, 2025: Haas made his debut against Oakland after a delayed start.
May 19, 2025: Haas struck out six in 2.1 innings against South Carolina in the SEC Tournament.
Saturday, November 8, 2025: Haas's velocity dropped and he was removed against Georgia Tech.
Season Trajectory
Haas's recovery through an internal brace procedure, rather than the full Tommy John surgery, shapes how Tennessee has managed his workload this season. The cautious removal in the sixth inning reflects a choice to protect his arm during the early part of his college career.
Haas's removal leaves Tennessee's pitching depth in question for upcoming games, and fantasy or roster watchers will want to track his return. The prognosis that he will be fine suggests the injury is not expected to keep him out long term.
The takeaway
Pitchers recovering from elbow surgery often need gradual workload increases, and Tennessee's decision to pull Haas early reflects that approach. Fans should watch for updates on his velocity as the season continues.
Further reading
For more on the program, see Knoxville Baseball coverage.
