Orioles Pitcher Chris Bassitt Undergoes Back Surgery After Missing Two Months

Orioles pitcher Chris Bassitt underwent facet bone spur removal surgery on his back after injections to reduce inflammation failed about a week earlier. Baltimore president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Elias said Saturday that the team views the procedure as minor and plans to assess Bassitt's condition in a couple of weeks to determine when he can begin throwing.

Bassitt is 4-4 with a 5.27 ERA in his first season with the Orioles.

He has not pitched since June 3. Elias said the club sees a very strong possibility of getting Bassitt back in better condition before the end of the season. Elias also provided updates on several other injured players.

Catcher Adley Rutschman, who was hit in the head by a throw while running the bases on June 18 and placed on the concussion injured list two days later, is doing well and nearing a return to the active roster. Outfielder Dylan Beavers is rehabbing at Triple-A Norfolk from a right oblique strain, and pitcher Dean Kremer is rehabbing there from a right quad strain.

Right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo is scheduled to begin a rehabilitation assignment on Sunday from shoulder inflammation.

First baseman Ryan Mountcastle has just started running after fracturing his left foot. Reliever Felix Bautista, 31, is recovering from right shoulder surgery performed in August to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff. He missed all of 2024 and appeared in only 35 games the prior season.

Elias said Bautista is throwing really well but added that he has to keep his fingers crossed given the nature of the surgery.