Adrian Rodriguez expected to be back ‘in some form’ for Texas vs. Alabama

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas head baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle said shortstop Adrian Rodriguez will return “in some form,” against Alabama in a 3-game series starting Friday.

Rodriguez had been out for two weeks after having staples removed from his surgically repaired left hand that was causing an allergic reaction. He had surgery in the offseason to fix a hamate fracture that he played through all season in 2025.

AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 26: Infielder Adrian Rodriguez #24 of the Texas Longhorns watches his ball go foul as he grimaces during the SEC college baseball game between Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners on March 26, 2026, at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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The switch-hitter was in obvious pain on swings and misses from the left side this season, and Schlossnagle is glad doctors figured out what was going on because, in his words, Rodriguez is “the spirit of our team.”

“I would say it’s a better chance that he will play than he won’t play, it’s just, what version of him do we get?” Schlossnagle said Thursday. “I would think we get a better version of what he was before he had the staples taken out.”