The Baltimore Orioles just got a massive sigh of relief — but fans shouldn’t start celebrating just yet. After veteran starter Chris Bassitt was pulled from Wednesday’s start against the Boston Red Sox with what the team called lower back tightness, insiders feared the worst. But according to manager Craig Albernaz, Bassitt’s back has been examined in Baltimore and reportedly shows no further issues. The 37-year-old right-hander is expected to rejoin the club in Toronto and take the ball Monday against the Seattle Mariners.
On the surface, it looks like a clean bill of health. But sources close to the situation claim the Orioles are quietly monitoring Bassitt’s workload closely. Bassitt is in his first season in Baltimore after signing a multi-year deal, and his 2023 breakout with the Blue Jays — a 16-8 record with a 3.60 ERA and 186 strikeouts — feels like a distant memory. This season? He’s struggled to a 5.27 ERA, walking 22 batters in just 56.1 innings while striking out only 37. His 4-4 record masks some concerning underlying numbers.
What really happened in that start against Boston? Bassitt allowed six hits and three earned runs over just three innings before grabbing his lower back and heading for the dugout. One Orioles insider told us the team was bracing for a potential IL stint — and the fact that Bassitt avoided it is being viewed as a win in the clubhouse. But questions linger. Is the back issue a one-time flare-up, or is it the start of something more serious for a 37-year-old pitcher in his 12th big-league season?
While the Orioles offense has caught fire — scoring four or more runs in eight of their last ten games — the pitching staff remains a fragile cornerstone. The team is currently 30-33 on the season, tied for third in the AL East with the Blue Jays. They’ve won seven of their last ten, but pitching depth is reportedly keeping front-office staff up at night. If Bassitt goes down, the rotation takes a hit that could derail this momentum.
Albernaz downplayed the scare publicly, saying Bassitt will make his next start as scheduled. But sources say the coaching staff is keeping a close eye on Bassitt’s mechanics, especially his lower-body drive, which could signal fatigue or compensation. The Orioles are reportedly exploring internal options just in case, but no moves are imminent.
For now, Baltimore is holding its breath. Bassitt is expected to take the mound Monday in what sources say feels like a pressure-packed start — not just for the team, but for the veteran pitcher himself. If he struggles, the noise about the back issue will only get louder.
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