The 'Pretty Minor' Surgery That Has Baltimore Sweating Over Chris Bassitt

Alright, Emerald City, even though our Mariners are doing their thing, we gotta talk about some wild news out of Baltimore that just dropped. Veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt, who signed with the Orioles this offseason, just went under the knife for back surgery! General Manager Mike Elias called it "pretty minor," but come on, surgery for a key pitcher this early in the regular season? That's always gonna make you clench a little, right?

Bassitt's Back, Early Season Struggles, and a Bone Spur

So, what's the deal? Bassitt, a veteran at 37 years old, had been trying to manage his back issues with injections, but GM Elias confirmed neither the team nor Bassitt himself were happy with how things were going. Turns out, there was a bone spur causing the trouble, and it had to come out. Bassitt last pitched for Baltimore on June 3rd. His performance this season hasn't been his usual All-Star caliber, sitting at 4-4 with a 5.27 ERA across 12 appearances, including 10 starts. He joined the team this offseason as a free agent, bringing his 12 seasons of experience, 244 appearances, and 87-69 career record with a 3.71 ERA from five different teams. He was even an All-Star with the Oakland Athletics in 2021. Elias sounds pretty chill about it, saying it's a "pretty minor procedure" and they'll "see where he's at in a couple weeks" for throwing. He's even optimistic about getting Bassitt "back in better condition before the end of the s

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eason." Still, losing a guy like that, even temporarily, is a tough pill to swallow for any rotation.

Rutschman's Return? This Dude Is On Fire!

But hey, it's not all doom and gloom out there! GM Elias also dropped some seriously encouraging news about their absolute slugger, Adley Rutschman. The standout catcher, a two-time All-Star, has been off the field since June 18th after getting hit in the head while running the bases. Concussions are always scary, but Elias is buzzing with good vibes now, telling reporters, "Adley's doing well. It's improved the last couple of days. I think we're getting close there." "Getting close" for a player who's batting .254 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in just 54 games is HUGE! This 28-year-old, the No. 1 overall pick back in the 2019 draft, isn't just hitting, he's slugging better than ever in his five-season career with a .458 mark. Getting this force back behind the plate and at the dish is going to be an immediate boost for the O's, for real. So, there you have it, folks. A mixed bag of news for the Orioles, with a veteran pitcher heading to the IL for a "minor" procedure and their superstar catcher potentially making a comeback SOON. It's early in the season, and every bit of health news impacts the grind. Elias is looking for Bassitt back "before the end of the season," and Rutschman's return is right around the corner. Baltimore is itching to get their full squad back on the field and make a statement. We'll be keeping an eye on how these situations develop, no doubt!

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