Chris Bassitt's 5.27 ERA Got a 'Minor' Fix, and the Mariners Are Paying Attention

Yo, Seattle! You hear about the Orioles? Pitcher Chris Bassitt, the guy they signed in the offseason, underwent back surgery to yank out a bone spur. GM Mike Elias is calling it "pretty minor," but you gotta wonder when a veteran with a 5.27 ERA gets cut short like this, right? It's the kind of news that gets your antenna up in the American League, for sure.

The "Minor" Problem That Wasn't So Minor for Bassitt

So, this isn't just a day off for Bassitt. Baltimore GM Mike Elias spilled the beans Saturday, saying they had to take out a bone spur. Apparently, injections weren't cutting it for the veteran right-hander. Elias tried to keep it chill, calling it a "pretty minor procedure," and holding out hope Bassitt's back is "in better condition before the end of the season." They'll check him out in a couple of weeks to see if he can even start throwing again. I mean, the dude is 37, signed in the offseason, and has been rocking a rough 5.27 ERA with a 4-4 record in 12 appearances, 10 of them starts, this year. His last game was June 3. It's a tough break for a veteran who's had a long career across five teams, including an All-Star nod with Oakland back in 2021 and three seasons with the Blue Jays. He's got an 87-69 career record with a 3.71 ERA over 244 appearances. "Pretty minor

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" for a guy with a 5.27 ERA and needing surgery? That's a statement.

Adley Rutschman's Return, a Silver Lining for Baltimore?

But hey, it's not all doom and gloom for the O's. Elias also dropped a bit of good news about Adley Rutschman, their star catcher. He's been out since June 18 with a concussion after getting tagged on the head while running the bases. Ouch. But Elias sounds optimistic, saying "Adley's doing well" and "it's improved the last couple of days." He added, "I think we're getting close there" to his return! And that's big, because the 28-year-old, two-time All-Star, and former No. 1 overall pick from the 2019 draft has been absolutely raking this season. He's got a .254 average with 8 dingers and 40 RBIs in just 54 games. His .458 slugging percentage is a career best in his five seasons. That kid is a beast, and getting him back makes a difference for their lineup, no doubt. So, while we're watching Julio Rodriguez launch bombs and Cal Raleigh call perfect games at T-Mobile Park, we keep an eye on these kinds of developments across the league. Injuries happen, and how teams deal with them can shape their season's trajectory. Bassitt's injury, even if "minor," and Rutschman's return are big deals for a team in the thick of things. For us, it's a reminder that every arm, every bat counts. Let's keep that momentum going, 12s, and push through this grind!

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