Chris Bassitt Went Under the Knife to Save His Season, and Baltimore Fans Are Holding Their Breath
Heads up, baseball fanatics! Big news dropped out of Baltimore today that’s got the whole league buzzing, and honestly, it’s a gut punch for the Orioles. Their veteran right-hander, Chris Bassitt, just went under the knife for back surgery to yank out a bone spur. You heard that right, surgery! While Orioles GM Mike Elias is trying to keep things chill, calling it "pretty minor," you know as well as I do that "minor" back surgery still means a player is off the mound. This guy just signed with them this offseason, and he hasn’t thrown a single pitch since June 3. This is a massive hit to their rotation, no two ways about it.
Bassitt's Season in Limbo After 'Minor' Procedure
So, what’s the deal with Bassitt? Apparently, they tried the less invasive route first, with injections in his back, but neither he nor the team liked the response. That’s when the decision for surgery came down. Elias is playing it cautiously optimistic, saying they "feel there's a very strong possibility we get him back in better condition before the end of the season." But let’s be real, he also admitted they’ll need "a couple weeks" to even see if and when Bassitt can start throwing again. That's an eternity when every game counts in the regular season!
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The 37-year-old Bassitt has been a workhorse in his career, boasting an 87-69 record with a 3.71 ERA over 12 seasons with five different teams. He was an All-Star back in 2021 with the then-Oakland Athletics and spent the previous three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. This season with Baltimore, he’s posted a 4-4 record with a 5.27 ERA through 12 appearances, 10 of them starts. Losing that kind of experience, even with a higher ERA this year, is tough for any team trying to find their rhythm.
Good News on the Rutschman Front, At Least!
Now, for a bit of brighter news, though still connected to another key player being sidelined. Star catcher Adley Rutschman, who’s been out since June 18 with a concussion after getting hit in the head while running the bases, is reportedly "doing well." Elias confirmed that he’s "improved the last couple of days" and they’re "getting close" to his return. Thank goodness, because losing two impact players simultaneously is a nightmare scenario!
Rutschman is an absolute force. The 28-year-old, a two-time All-Star and the #1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, has been mashing the ball this season. In 54 games, he’s batting .254 with eight homers and 40 RBIs. Plus, his .458 slugging percentage is the best of his five-season career. Getting him back in the lineup will be a much-needed shot in the arm for the O's offense as they navigate these early season waters.
So, there you have it. The Orioles are definitely facing some adversity early on. While Bassitt’s return is still a big question mark, hopefully, we’ll see Rutschman back behind the plate dominating soon. Keep those eyes peeled for updates, because the regular season waits for no one, and every game matters!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.