Orioles announce Samuel Basallo update after 16 consecutive missed games
The Baltimore Orioles made a shocking move at this year’s trade deadline, dealing longtime face of the franchise and switch-hitting catcher Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox.
While the move was heartbreaking for fans, it made sense for one clear reason. The Orioles have their catcher of the future locked up in Samuel Basallo.
Basallo inked a long-term extension last year that runs through the 2033 season, and the organization extended him after just four big-league games. That belief in him looks like one of the best decisions president of baseball operations Mike Elias has ever made.
This year, Basallo has broken out, posting a .241 batting average, .305 on-base percentage, .756 OPS, 16 home runs and 46 RBIs across 86 games.
Unfortunately, Basallo is currently on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation and has missed 16 consecutive games.
However, he has been making progress, and on Saturday manager Craig Albernaz announced a positive update. He revealed that Basallo was able to throw from 90 feet for a second straight day and is “fairly close” to beginning a hitting program, according to Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun.
Given that Basallo suffered a shoulder injury, throwing and hitting will be the two biggest tests before he heads out on a rehab assignment.
As a catcher who will now shoulder even more of the workload with Rutschman gone, his ability to throw out baserunners is important. His arm strength and accuracy behind the plate are a big part of his defensive value, and the Orioles need to be certain those have not been compromised before putting him back in games.
As for hitting, that matters just as much. Getting Basallo back healthy and swinging the bat freely is essential for a team that is trying to salvage what is looking like a lost season.
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