The Three Words From the Orioles GM That Tell You Everything About Chris Bassitt's Future

Alright, Seattle, listen up, because the baseball world just got a little more complicated, and we gotta keep our eyes on the whole league. The Baltimore Orioles dropped a bombshell that their veteran right-hander, Chris Bassitt, just went under the knife for back surgery to yank out a bone spur. GM Mike Elias called it a "pretty minor procedure," but you know how us fans get when we hear "minor" and "surgery" in the same sentence, especially for a guy who's seen a few seasons. "Pretty minor" is a phrase that often means "hope for the best," and we're definitely watching to see how this plays out for the O's.

Bassitt's Road to the Operating Table

Bassitt, who's 37, hasn't toed the rubber since June 3. Before that, he was trying to tough it out with injections in his back, but clearly, neither he nor the team liked the results. This season hasn't exactly been his strongest showing either, sitting at a 4-4 record with a 5.27 ERA through 12 appearances, 10 of those being starts. He just joined the Orioles as a free agent this offseason, bringing with him a solid career record of 87-69 with a 3.71 ERA over 12 seasons and five different teams. We're talking about a guy who was an All-Star with the Oakland Athletics back in 2021 and spent the last three years in Toronto. Elias sounds optimistic, saying there's a "strong possibility we get him back in better condition b

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efore the end of the season," and they'll check on him in a couple of weeks to see if he can start throwing. Here in the Emerald City, we know how critical every arm is, especially come crunch time.

Another Star Down, But Not Out?

And if that wasn't enough for the Orioles faithful, their star catcher, Adley Rutschman, is still on the sidelines with a concussion. He's been out of action since June 18 after taking a hit to the head from a throw while running the bases. Talk about a brutal stroke of bad luck. This guy is a serious talent, a two-time All-Star, and the number one overall pick from the 2019 draft, all at just 28 years old. Before the injury, he was absolutely raking, batting .254 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in 54 games. His .458 slugging percentage is even the best of his five-season career! Good news is, Elias reports Rutschman is "doing well" and has "improved the last couple of days," so they're "getting close." You never want to see a concussion, especially for a guy playing at such a high level. So, while we're rocking T-Mobile Park and cheering on our guys, it's always worth a peek at what's shaking up the rest of the league. Two key players for a competitive team like the Orioles dealing with injuries like this? It's a reminder of how tough this grind of a season is for everyone. We'll be watching closely to see if Bassitt truly makes it back to form this season, and hoping Rutschman is back in the lineup, healthy and crushing it again soon.

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