BALTIMORE -- The Orioles got a boost in the middle of their lineup Wednesday night, welcoming catcher Samuel Basallo back from the 10-day injured list and putting the 22-year-old straight into the starting nine against the Yankees at Camden Yards.
Basallo returned after missing the past four weeks with right shoulder inflammation, and Baltimore wasted no time using his bat. He started at first base and hit cleanup in his first game back. To make room, the Orioles optioned infielder/outfielder Jeremiah Jackson to Triple-A Norfolk.
That move leaves Baltimore carrying three catchers on its 26-man active roster for now, with Basallo joining Carlos Narváez and Yohel Pozo.
The Orioles have felt Basallo’s absence. The left-handed hitter has been one of their most productive bats in his first full MLB season, putting together a .241 average with nine doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, 46 RBIs and a .756 OPS over 86 games before landing on the IL for the first time in his big league career.
Basallo’s return came after a short rehab tune-up earlier this week. On Sunday afternoon for Triple-A Norfolk, he caught seven innings and went 1-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Then on Tuesday night at Double-A Chesapeake, he went 0-for-5 while playing nine innings at first base.
"It's nice writing Sammy's name in the lineup. Missed him," manager Craig Albernaz said.
"It's good to have him back. The way he attacked his rehab process, he handled it like a total pro, worked his tail off.
His body's in a really good spot, he's moving well and very athletic. And I think he's, in the box, moving better than he was in the past."
Basallo’s spot at first base also fit with Baltimore keeping Pete Alonso at designated hitter for the fourth straight day. Alonso has not played first since Saturday night, when he was dealing with a right calf cramp at Tropicana Field, and the Orioles are still being careful with the 31-year-old.
While Narváez and Pozo don’t bring Basallo’s kind of offensive upside, both have earned their roles lately. Narváez has drawn praise for his work behind the plate, both defensively and in how he handles the pitching staff, while Pozo has added plenty of energy to the dugout in recent games.
Jackson’s exit marked his second optioning of the season. The 26-year-old had been getting far fewer chances at second base with Jackson Holliday locked in as the everyday starter there. Jackson was first sent to Triple-A on June 28 and came back five days later.
In 89 games this season, Jackson hit .226 with 10 doubles, seven home runs, 39 RBIs and a .614 OPS. The right-handed hitter had mostly been limited to pinch-hitting duty lately, making just two starts since Aug. 7.
Baltimore’s middle-infield depth is thin right now. Holliday and Gunnar Henderson are holding down second base and shortstop, but there isn’t a bench player with experience at either spot. That will change when utility man Blaze Alexander comes back.
Alexander has been on the injured list since July 13 with a left hand fracture, and he is expected to start a rehab assignment later this week. The 27-year-old is aiming to return during Baltimore’s road series against the A’s from Aug. 28-30.
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