Chris Bassitt's 5.27 ERA Is Hiding A "Strong Possibility" That Could Change Everything For the Orioles

Alright, Orioles fans, buckle up because we just got some news that's a total gut punch and a huge dose of hopium all at once. Veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt just went under the knife for back surgery, but hear this: Baltimore GM Mike Elias is out here saying it's a "pretty minor procedure" and there's a "strong possibility" he'll be back in better shape before the season wraps. Are you kidding me? This could be massive!

The "Pretty Minor" Procedure That Could Reshape the Rotation

So, what exactly went down with Bassitt? Elias confirmed Saturday that the 37-year-old had surgery to yank out a bone spur from his back. Apparently, those injections they tried weren't cutting it, and neither Bassitt nor the team was thrilled with the results. Elias isn't hitting the panic button, though. He described it as "not serious" and "pretty minor." Now, we're talking a couple of weeks to see when he can even start throwing again, but the vibe from the front office is surprisingly positive. Elias sounds "pretty good about things right there," and that "strong possibility" quote about getting him back "in better condition before the end of the season" is the kind of stuff you love to hear. Bassitt's last game was way back on June 3. He's sitting at 4-4 with a 5.27 ERA in 12 appearances, 10 of those starts, since signing as a free ag

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ent this offseason. Look, his 12-season career, spanning five teams, shows a solid 87-69 record with a 3.71 ERA, even an All-Star nod in 2021 with Oakland. If this surgery actually brings him back sharper, watch out!

Big Catcher Is "Close" to Returning

And because good news seems to come in pairs, we've also got an update on two-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman. He's been sidelined since getting smacked in the head with a throw while running the bases on June 18, putting him on the concussion protocol. But the word from Elias is, "Adley's doing well," and he's "improved the last couple of days." They're "getting close" to getting him back in action. Thank goodness! The dude is absolutely crucial. He's batting .254 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in 54 games this season, and his .458 slugging percentage is actually the best of his five-season career. The 28-year-old, a former No. 1 overall pick, is a game-changer. Getting him back is a massive boost. So, for all you fans out there, the Orioles are dealing with some health hurdles, but the early word from Elias is surprisingly optimistic. Keep an eye on the injury updates for both Bassitt and Rutschman. If these guys can bounce back strong, especially Bassitt finding that "better condition" version of himself, the rest of the season could get real interesting. We'll be watching to see how quickly they can get back on the field and what impact their returns have. Go get 'em, Birds!

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