Baltimore Orioles veteran right-handed pitcher Chris Bassitt has gone under the knife to have a bone spur removed from his back, with team general manager Mike Elias sharing the news with reporters on Saturday.
Bassitt had initially been treated with back injections, but neither the 37-year-old pitcher nor the organization were satisfied with how he responded to that treatment, leading to the decision to pursue surgery.
Elias downplayed the severity of the procedure, telling reporters: “It’s a pretty minor procedure, and we’ll see where he’s at in a couple weeks and see if and when he can start throwing. We’re feeling pretty good about things right there. We feel there’s a very strong possibility we get him back in better condition before the end of the season.”
Bassitt last took the mound for Baltimore on June 3. Through 12 appearances this season — including 10 starts — he holds a 4-4 record with a 5.27 ERA. He joined the Orioles as a free agent prior to this season.
Over the course of his 12-year major league career, Bassitt has compiled an 87-69 record with a 3.71 ERA across 244 appearances and 228 starts with five different teams. He spent the three seasons prior to joining Baltimore with the Toronto Blue Jays and earned an All-Star selection in 2021 while with the then-Oakland Athletics.
Elias also provided an update on star catcher Adley Rutschman, who has been out since June 18 after taking a throw to the head while running the bases. The general manager indicated the 28-year-old could be back on the field soon.
“Adley’s doing well,” Elias said. “It’s improved the last couple of days. I think we’re getting close there.”
Rutschman, a two-time All-Star and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, is hitting .254 this season with eight home runs and 40 RBIs in 54 games. He is also posting the best slugging percentage of his five-year career at .458.
