LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky preseason All-American outfielder Collin Cowgill will undergo hand surgery Thursday and is expected to miss 2-5 weeks before returning to practice.

“We are very hopeful that we can get Collin back midway through the season,” Kentucky head coach John Cohen said. “Collin is a tremendous athlete and an amazing leader on this team. I am disappointed for him because he is such a hard worker and has done so much to help make this UK baseball team great. Hopefully, we can get Collin back for SEC play because he is a force in the outfield and at the plate.”

Cowgill, a junior from Lexington, has not played this season due to a lingering tissue injury on his left hand. The outfielder, who hit 16 home runs and drove in 61 RBI a year ago, is expected to return to midway through the season.

During Kentucky’s 2006 Southeastern Conference Championship run, Cowgill started all 61 games, hitting second in the potent UK lineup. He also had three outfield assists during the 2006 season. Baseball America named Cowgill the best defensive arm in the SEC during the preseason.

In addition to his preseason All-America honors, Cowgill was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List, an award annually given to the top college player in the nation.