With the start of the baseball season less than three weeks away, a hole has possibly opened on the right side of the Texas infield.

Luke Storm announced on Tuesday that his baseball career has ended. Storm was set to join the Longhorns this season after spending the past three years at Duke. He was considered a candidate to start at first base.

"My journey playing baseball has come to an end due to personal reasons," Storm posted on social media. "It wasn't the path I envisioned, yet I'm profoundly thankful for the individuals it brought into my life. Immense gratitude to the coaches who trusted and believed in me, offering opportunities to live out."

Storm did not elaborate on his departure. A Texas spokesperson confirmed to the American-Statesman that Storm had left the team, but the school declined to offer any further comment.

A surprising turn of events for Texas

At UT's first media availability of the season last week, Storm was a topic of conversation. He had arrived in Austin at the semester break and was expected to earn a spot in the lineup. Last season, the switch-hitting Storm hit .258 with 13 home runs with 51 RBIs. He also can play third base.

"He's big and strong, so immediately you recognize a presence," Texas coach David Pierce said. "We put a lot of pressure on guys defensively (with) movement and taking care of the ball and so I think he's a little behind there, but I think he's going to really hit."

Said third baseman Peyton Powell: "We've been taking him in, teaching him the culture here and how we go as an infield, the work that it entails. He's ready for it, he's accepted it. It doesn't happen overnight just because of all the stuff that goes into our work. He's getting the hang of it and he just got here so it's going to be exciting to see how he plays on this (scrimmage) and how he gels with the infielders."

So now what for Texas?

Without Storm, Texas still has plenty of candidates to start at first base. Jared Thomas started at first last year, but he has since shifted to the outfield. During the fall, Pierce said that Powell, second baseman Jack O'Dowd and catcher Kimble Schuessler could play first base, but moving any of those players would leave a hole at another position. Redshirt junior Cam Constantine and freshman Casey Borba are other options.

Texas, ranked No. 16 in the D1Baseball preseason poll, opens its season at home against San Diego on Feb. 16. The Longhorns' annual alumni game will be played this Saturday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas baseball team loses expected starter with season about to begin