Chris Bassitt Joins Orioles Rotation as Spring Training Begins - But Injury News Clouds the Start
With just six weeks to go until Orioles Opening Day, the countdown to baseball is officially underway. Pitchers and catchers have already reported, and most position players are showing up early in Sarasota.
The first spring training game is only eight days out. But before the Orioles could even get to live game action, they made a late move to bolster the rotation - and not a moment too soon.
Veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt is officially headed to Baltimore on a one-year deal, adding experience and stability to a rotation that desperately needed both. It’s a familiar play from GM Mike Elias, who once again dipped into the market for seasoned arms willing to sign short-term deals north of $10 million.
Last year, it was Charlie Morton - a gamble that didn’t pay off. This time, it’s Bassitt and Zach Eflin tasked with solidifying the middle of the rotation.
The hope? That this duo can keep the Orioles from having to lean too heavily on unproven arms - a scenario that played out far too often in 2025, when Cade Povich and Brandon Young were pressed into more starts than anyone would’ve liked.
This year, the fallback options are Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells - not exactly thrilling, but certainly more reliable. The rotation order for Opening Day is still up in the air, but that’s a puzzle the team will gladly solve later - assuming, of course, everyone gets through camp healthy.
That wasn’t the case last year.
Holliday’s Hamate Injury Headlines Early Injury News
Unfortunately, not everything is going smoothly out of the gate. The biggest news from Elias’s annual “surprise injury updates” press conference was the announcement that Jackson Holliday suffered a hamate bone fracture within the past week.
He’s set to undergo surgery and will be sidelined until around Opening Day. That means his ramp-up - the usual spring training progression - won’t even begin until sometime in April.
It’s a tough break, both literally and figuratively. Hamate injuries can sap a player’s power even after they return to the field. If Holliday’s swing doesn’t fully come back until midseason, the Orioles could be looking at a long wait before their top young talent is back to full strength.
He’s not alone. Jordan Westburg has been dealing with a sore oblique for the past three weeks.
Elias expects him to miss the first few exhibition games but return shortly after. Still, obliques are notoriously tricky - they linger, and they can flare back up if not managed carefully.
Blaze Alexander Deal Looks Smarter in Hindsight
The Holliday and Westburg injuries help explain last week’s under-the-radar trade for Blaze Alexander. At the time, it may have seemed like a depth move.
Now, it looks like a preemptive strike. If the Orioles already had concerns about Westburg’s health, acquiring Alexander to avoid relying on Jeremiah Jackson as the primary backup makes a lot more sense.
Holliday’s injury came after the trade, according to Elias, but having Alexander on board now feels like a crucial insurance policy.
Pitching Staff Opens Camp (Mostly) Healthy
While the infield depth is being tested early, the pitching staff - for now - is mostly intact. The only injury Elias reported was Colin Selby dealing with shoulder inflammation.
That’s a blow to the bullpen depth, but unlikely to make or break the season. The projected starting rotation is entering camp healthy, which makes the Bassitt signing feel a little curious at first glance - but let’s be honest, no team makes it through spring without something going sideways.
Having one more proven arm in the mix is never a bad thing.
Last year, the Orioles had a relatively quiet injury report at the start of camp - and then the floodgates opened. One of those early injuries, Grayson Rodriguez, never threw a pitch in 2025.
He’s now an Angel, sent west in the trade that brought Taylor Ward to Baltimore. It’s a strange twist, but one the Orioles will live with if Ward can contribute this season.
Around Camp: Kremer, Baz Throw Live BP; Alonso Makes Early Impact
On the field, things are beginning to heat up. Dean Kremer and Shane Baz threw live batting practice on day one of camp, giving coaches and teammates their first look at how the arms are shaping up. Baz, in particular, remains a wildcard in this rotation - if he’s healthy and effective, he could be a difference-maker.
Elsewhere, Pete Alonso is already making his presence felt in the clubhouse. The veteran slugger’s leadership is expected to be a key storyline this spring, especially with so many young players in the mix. His voice - and his bat - could go a long way in setting the tone for 2026.
Who’s on Second? Five Options in Holliday’s Absence
With Holliday sidelined, the Orioles will need to figure out who takes over at second base to start the year. Westburg would be the obvious choice - except, of course, he’s also dealing with an injury.
That opens the door for a mix of options, including Blaze Alexander, Connor Norby, and others. It’s not ideal to be juggling middle infield depth this early, but that’s where things stand.
ZiPS Projections Paint a Mixed Picture
FanGraphs’ ZiPS projections for 2026 are out, and the Orioles have four players whose outlooks have taken a hit since last year - including Holliday. That was before the hamate injury, which could further impact his production. It’s a reminder that development isn’t always linear, and even the most promising young players can hit bumps in the road.
Birthday Shoutouts and a Bit of Orioles History
Today marks Heston Kjerstad’s 27th birthday - a reminder of how quickly time moves in baseball. Once a top prospect, Kjerstad now finds himself in a crowded outfield picture, looking to carve out a role on a team with postseason aspirations.
Also celebrating birthdays today: former Orioles Chris Snyder, Adam Stern, Don Stanhouse, Pat Dobson, and Jerry Walker. And if you’re celebrating too, you’re in good company - Abraham Lincoln, Charles Darwin, and Gucci Mane all share your birthday.
As for Orioles history, nothing major happened on this day - but hey, that could always change.
Trivia Time
Let’s close with a bit of Orioles trivia: In 1970, who led the team in batting average with a career-best .322? The answer: Merv Rettenmund. Not a name that comes up often, but a key contributor on a legendary team.
More spring training updates are just around the corner. For now, the Orioles are hoping to avoid further injury setbacks and get a clearer picture of how this roster will shape up before Opening Day. Stay tuned.