Samuel

Basallo

There were some questions about whether or not the Orioles were looking to turn things over to top prospect Samuel Basallo after Rutschman had a disappointing 2025 season, but that does not appear to be the case. Elias did imply that there is room for the team to have two good catchers, which means both Rutschman and Basallo should see regular playing time behind the dish. If the Orioles also move on from Ryan Mountcastle, then there could be additional at-bats at first base and/or designated hitter for Basallo in 2026.

Rutschman has gone 1-for-11 with a triple in four games since returning from the injured list earlier this week following a five-week absence recovering from an oblique strain. Some signs of rust were inevitable since the 27-year-old backstop got only a handful of rehab contests under his belt prior to making it back to Baltimore. It’ll be top prospect Samuel Basallo handling the catching duties during Saturday afternoon’s matinee affair at Yankee Stadium.

Basallo sat out Thursday’s game with a sore wrist after he was plunked by a pitch during Wednesday’s contest against the Rays. X-rays came back negative for any fractures though and the pain and swelling have subsided enough for Basallo to return to the Orioles’ lineup as the designated hitter on Friday evening. He’ll bat eighth against Will Warren and the Yankees.

Basallo was hit by a pitch during Wednesday’s game against the Rays, but x-rays came back negative for any fracture. Whether or not Basallo actually plays tomorrow is anybody’s guess right now. The Orioles do not need to rush back their top prospect if he’s anything less than 100 percent.

Basallo appears to have dodged serious injury after being hit by a 96 mph offering from Rays closer Pete Fairbanks during the ninth inning of Wednesday’s contest. The 21-year-old top prospect may need some time off for the pain and swelling to subside, but he’s likely going to be fine, which is a relief for the Orioles and fantasy managers alike.

Basallo immediately exited after taking a 96 mph pitch off the right hand area. The 21-year-old top prospect will presumably head for X-rays to determine whether he suffered any fractures.

Rutschman is back from his second oblique strain after going 4-for-16 with a homer in four games for Triple-A Norfolk. One imagines he’ll start three or four games this week, with Samuel Basallo maybe DHing in a couple of those. Ryan Mountcastle figures to lose some at-bats.

Basallo’s home run was his fourth of the year. He hit a solo home run off Cam Schlitter in the fifth inning. Basallo is hitting just .188 in the first 96 at-bats of his big league career, but he’s shown off his power with four homers.

The 21-year-old rookie backstop clobbered a 420-foot (108.3 mph EV) two-run blast off of Shane Smith in the fourth inning that gave the Orioles a 4-2 lead they would never relinquish. That would be his only hit in four at-bats in the ballgame. He’s now hitting .188/.250/.365 with three homers and 13 RBI in his first 92 plate appearances with the Orioles.

Samuel Basallo will shift to DH with Alex Jackson starting behind the plate. Mountcastle has hit .282/.325/.409 in 28 games since coming off the IL with three home runs, 16 RBI, and two steals. He should be back in the starting lineup on Friday and remains the favorite to start at first base for the Orioles in 2026.