A Veteran AL Arm Just Went Under the Knife and Mariners Fans Need to Watch This Story CLOSELY

Alright, Emerald City, buckle up because there's big news out of the American League today, and while it's not directly about our boys in teal, you KNOW we gotta talk about it! Chris Bassitt, that veteran right-hander for the Baltimore Orioles, just went under the knife for back surgery. We're talking about an AL competitor here, and every single shift in the league, every injury, every comeback, it all impacts the bigger picture.

The Bone Spur That Shook an AL Rival

So, what went down? Baltimore's general manager, Mike Elias, spilled the beans on Saturday: Bassitt underwent back surgery to remove a bone spur. Turns out, the guy had been getting injections in his back, but neither he nor the team were happy with the response. Elias called the procedure "pretty minor" and sounded surprisingly optimistic, saying they "feel pretty good about things right there." He even mentioned a "very strong possibility we get him back in better condition before the end of the season." Bassitt, at 37, last pitched for the Orioles on June 3. So far this season, he's 4-4 with a 5.27 ERA in 12 appearances, 10 of those starts. He just signed with the team as a free agent in the offseason, and this definitely wasn't the start they wanted. He's had a solid career, too, with an 87-69 record and a 3.71 ERA over 12 seasons, even making the All-Star team in 2021 with the A's. An arm

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like that being sidelined, even temporarily, is something every Mariners fan needs to note.

Rutschman's Return: A Silver Lining for Baltimore?

But wait, there's another piece to this puzzle that every Mariners fan should be tracking. Elias also had an update on standout catcher Adley Rutschman, who's been out with a concussion since taking a shot to the head while running the bases on June 18. This is where it gets interesting because a key player is on the cusp of returning for an AL rival. Elias said, "Adley's doing well. It's improved the last couple of days. I think we're getting close there." The two-time All-Star has been crushing it, batting .254 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in 54 games this season. He's even got the best slugging percentage of his five-season career at .458. The guy was the No. 1 overall pick in 2019 for a reason, right? So, while Bassitt's out, they might be getting a big bat back. So, while we're always bleeding green and blue, keeping an eye on the rest of the league is part of being a true fan. Bassitt's out for a bit, but Rutschman's coming back for them. What does this mean for our Mariners as we push through this regular season? We gotta keep our heads down, keep Julio Rodriguez hitting bombs, Cal Raleigh showing off that power, and our pitching staff absolutely dealing. Every single game, every single shift in the AL, it all adds up. Let's go M's, keep fighting for those Ws! You know the drill, Emerald City, bring the noise!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.