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The Daily Bruin is reporting that UCLA catcher Darrell Miller, Jr. will miss the entire 2016 season because he has a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder.
The injury to Miller is a troublesome one for Coach John Savage as no other catcher on UCLA's roster has any experience catching at the Division I level.
The other catchers on the Bruins' roster are freshmen Jake Hirabayashi and Daniel Rosica as well as junior Keenan Pierandozzi-Howes.
An article in the LA Times by Shotgun Spratling points out that Miller's injury isn't the only setback UCLA has had already this year behind the plate. Justin Hazard opted to attend Nevada as a graduate transfer after former UCLA assistant coach T.J. Bruce took the head coaching job there. Meanwhile, two recruits decided against attending UCLA. Michael Benson opted to attend a junior college while Lucas Herbert signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves after being drafted in the second round of the MLB Amateur Draft.
Spratling also mentions that Hirabayashi is likely to get the most playing time this season now and Rosica will probably serve as the his primary backup.
Get well soon, Darrell!!
Go Bruins!!!