Chris Bassitt's 5.27 ERA Is The Real Story Behind His Back Surgery And Baltimore Has No Answer

Alright, you guys, another day, another gut punch from the injury bug hitting the league. We're talking about the Baltimore Orioles today, because their veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt just went under the knife for back surgery. Seriously, can we catch a break out there? General manager Mike Elias told reporters Saturday that they had to remove a bone spur. This isn't just some random ache, this is a whole surgical situation, even if Elias is trying to play it cool. Our boys in green and blue are always fighting, so you gotta respect anyone out there grinding, but this is a rough patch for Baltimore, no doubt.

Bassitt's "Minor" Procedure, Major Questions

Now, Elias said the surgery for Bassitt was "pretty minor" and "wasn't serious." He added that they're "feeling pretty good about things" and there's a "very strong possibility we get him back in better condition before the end of the season." Look, that's what GMs say, right? But Bassitt, at 37 years old, was already getting injections in his back, and apparently, neither he nor the team liked how that was going. You don't jump to surgery if everything's peachy. Bassitt last pitched on June 3, and his numbers this season, 4-4 with a 5.27 ERA in 12 appearances, including 10 starts, aren't exactly screaming "rock solid." He signed with them as a free agent this offseason, but his career 3.71 ERA over 12 seasons and 244 appearances with five teams, including an All-Star nod with the Oakland Athletics back in 2021, tells you he's capable of more. This isn't just a minor blip, this could shake up their rotation big time, especially when you're looking at a 5.27 ERA already. They need him back, and better, fast.

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Adley Rutschman's Concussion Update: A Glimmer of Hope

But wait, there's another piece of news from Elias that actually sounds a bit more promising. Star catcher Adley Rutschman, a two-time All-Star, has been out since June 18 after taking a throw to the head while running the bases. Oof, concussions are no joke. But Elias said Rutschman is "doing well" and it's "improved the last couple of days." He believes they're "getting close there" and Rutschman could "soon return to action." That's good news, because the dude is a beast. The 28-year-old, who was the number one overall pick in the 2019 draft, is hitting .254 with eight homers and 40 RBIs in just 54 games. And get this: his .458 slugging percentage is the best of his five-season career! So while the Bassitt news stings, getting Rutschman back in the lineup would be a massive boost for them. Here's hoping he's back on the field soon and crushing it like he always does. What a difference he makes in their lineup, and frankly, what a difference any consistent bat makes in this league early in the season.

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