Texas A&M head coach Michael Earley confirms Aiden Sims out for remainder of NCAA season

Texas A&M head coach Michael Earley confirmed on Saturday night that sophomore left-handed pitcher Aiden Sims will miss the remainder of the 2026 NCAA tournament season due to injury. The announcement came immediately following the Aggies’ 17-2 victory over Texas State in the College Station Regional, casting a shadow over a team that had just secured its spot in the regional final.

Sims, who had been dealing with reported tightness and had not taken the mound in four games, attempted a comeback but was ultimately sidelined to prevent further damage. Earley stated that while the player had tried to return, the risk to his long-term health outweighed the immediate competitive benefit.

"It's just not there, and for the best interest of the kid, he's not going to pitch," Earley said, emphasising that the decision was made to protect Sims’ future. The sophomore had been considered the lone bright spot for the Aggies during his first starting season, finishing the regular season with an 8-1 record, a team-high 3.84 ERA, and 17 strikeouts.

The loss of Sims leaves Texas A&M’s pitching rotation, which has been described as thin throughout the season, in a precarious position. Junior right-handed pitcher Weston Moss, who posted a career-high 10 strikeouts in the win over Texas State after allowing two early home runs, will serve as a primary starting option alongside Shane Sdao. Gavin Lyons and Ethan Darden are also available, with closer Clayton Freshcorn expected to be relied upon heavily in relief roles.

Texas A&M will face either Texas State or USC in the College Station Regional Final on Sunday night. With the pitching staff significantly reduced, the burden now falls heavily on the Aggies’ offense, which recorded 20 hits in the previous game, to provide a cushion for the remaining pitchers.