Chris Bassitt Slated To Make Return In Series Opener On Friday

A reinforcement in the Baltimore Orioles’ rotation has returned just in time to jumpstart a crucial four-game set against the top-seeded team in baseball.

The Orioles activated starting pitcher Chris Bassitt off of the injured list on Friday afternoon, ahead of their series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. Bassitt is set to start tonight’s game, as right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for the veteran on the active roster.

Bassitt returns to the Orioles’ rotation to make his first start since June 3rd. He had been placed on the injured list on June 8th with low back discomfort that had him sidelined on the 60-day injured list. He underwent a procedure to remove a bone spur from his lumbar region.

The 37-year-old made three rehab starts in preparation for a return, posting solid numbers. In those three appearances, Bassitt allowed a total of three earned runs over the course of 13 ⅔ innings, while striking out 12 batters. He last threw on the field earlier this week when the Orioles were facing off against the Minnesota Twins.

Baltimore signed Bassitt to a one-year, $18.5 million contract over the offseason, but he has not panned out to be a high-caliber starter just yet this year. Prior to the injury, Bassitt had posted a 5.27 ERA in 56 ⅓ innings pitched over 12 appearances, 10 of which were starts.

In his career, Bassitt has notoriously been a very productive starter for multiple teams. Over the past seven seasons alone, he has owned a 3.60 ERA while ranking sixth in the league in games started in that span. 

This season, his numbers have taken significant dips from his usual standing. He has posted an ERA over four just once since 2018, but it will take a lot for Bassitt to come close to that realm again this season. He has also had trouble missing bats, as his current 14.2% strikeout rate is a career-low in a campaign.

This time around, the Orioles are hoping to get the version of Bassitt they had been anticipating when they signed him last winter. As he dealt with a back injury beforehand, there lies a chance that it could have been bothering him for some time on the mound this season. 

Should Bassitt find a way to be a lot more efficient on the mound in his return, he would give the Orioles a much-needed boost in their rotation down the stretch, as Baltimore remains in reach of an AL Wild Card spot. 

With Bassitt rejoining the rotation, the Orioles pushed Kyle Bradish’s start back to Saturday and Trevor Rogers to Sunday against the Rays.