Basallo grabs his midsection, exiting spring training.
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo left Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers after appearing to injure his midsection during a play at the plate.
Basallo reached to make a tag on an incoming runner and immediately grabbed his stomach before exiting the contest at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.
The team later confirmed the nature of the issue, announcing that "Samuel Basallo left today's game with right side abdominal discomfort."
The Orioles, who entered the day at 3-2-1 in spring training, now await further updates on the 21-year-old's status.
What Basallo's Injury Means for Baltimore
The timing of this injury is far from ideal for a team that has already been dealing with a rough stretch of health-related setbacks this spring.
Second baseman Jackson Holliday had surgery to remove the hamate bone in his right wrist, and third baseman Jordan Westburg was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow that will keep him out until at least May.
If Basallo is forced to miss any amount of time, it would add another layer of frustration to what has been an eventful and injury-filled camp for Baltimore.
This is not the first time Basallo has dealt with an injury scare either.
He dealt with right elbow inflammation during 2025 spring training that limited him to designated hitter duties for the first month of his Triple-A season, and he also missed time last September after getting hit on the hand by a pitch.
A Big 2026 Season on the Horizon
Heading into the year, Basallo was widely expected to be one of Baltimore's most exciting young contributors and a legitimate AL Rookie of the Year candidate.
The Orioles signed him to an eight-year, $67 million contract extension just days after his MLB debut last August, showing how much the organization believes in his potential.
His big league numbers in 2025 were modest, as he slashed just .165/.229/.330 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 31 games.
But his minor league track record tells a completely different story, as he hit .270/.377/.589 with 23 home runs and 67 RBI at Triple-A Norfolk before getting the call-up.
FanGraphs' ZiPS projection system sees Basallo making a significant jump in 2026, projecting him for a 1.7 fWAR improvement over last season.
Bleacher Report also named him as Baltimore's biggest breakout hitter heading into the new campaign, pointing to his elite bat speed and middle-of-the-order potential.
The Position Question Going Forward
Even before this latest injury, the conversation around Basallo's long-term defensive home was already a hot topic.
At 6-foot-4, he is a large presence behind the plate, and while his arm strength is not a problem, with pop times under 2.0 seconds, evaluators still have questions about his receiving consistency and mobility at the position.
With Adley Rutschman locked in as the starting catcher, the plan this season was for Basallo to serve primarily as the designated hitter while getting occasional reps behind the plate when Rutschman needs rest.
With the team confirming right side abdominal discomfort, the concern naturally turns to whether this is related to his core or oblique area, which has been a recurring problem for Rutschman.
If that is the case, it could push the Orioles even further toward keeping Basallo at DH or first base long term rather than risking wear and tear behind the plate.
A move to first base when Pete Alonso is not in the lineup would still allow Basallo's bat to stay in the order every day while reducing the physical toll on his body.
Baltimore has a lot riding on this kid, and keeping him healthy is just as important as figuring out where he plays.