Basallo heads to IL with right shoulder inflammation; Rodríguez recalled from Norfolk

BOSTON -- The Orioles were already without Adley Rutschman, who went on the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation on Monday. Now, Baltimore is without the other half of its standout catching duo as well.

Samuel Basallo was placed on the 10-day IL with right shoulder inflammation prior to Wednesday’s 6-3 loss in the opener of a split doubleheader against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. It marks the first IL stint of the 21-year-old rookie’s MLB career, which began when he got called up last Aug. 17.

Outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez, who had been on the club’s taxi squad, was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk as a corresponding transaction.

Basallo had been dealing with some discomfort in his right shoulder that was aggravated on a swing during Sunday’s 5-2 win in Houston. He exited that game in the second inning.

Although Basallo said he was optimistic he would avoid the IL on Tuesday, that ended up not being the case. Manager Craig Albernaz had also said before Wednesday’s twin bill that Basallo was improving and “trending in the right direction.”

However, the O’s decided it would be best to put Basallo on the IL and allow him to recover after a session in the batting cage "didn't really go as planned," per Albernaz.

"It wasn't like he was hurting hurting, but doing what's right for him and best for him and trying to prolong this, the next thing you know, it's going to be a little longer than anticipated," Albernaz said. "It kind of gets him to kind of reset and just focus on getting his shoulder healthy, as opposed to getting healthy and also try to every day get ready to play."

Basallo has been one of Baltimore’s top offensive performers during his first full big league season. The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, native is hitting .241 with nine doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, 46 RBIs and a .756 OPS over 86 games. He ranks third on the team in homers, behind only Pete Alonso (21) and Gunnar Henderson (17).

Without Rutschman and Basallo, the Orioles’ two catchers are Sam Huff and Chadwick Tromp. Huff, who started Game 1 of the doubleheader vs. Boston, is hitting .129 (4-for-31) with two doubles and one RBI over 12 games.

Tromp was called up from Triple-A on Monday when Rutschman went on the IL. The 31-year-old started Game 2 of the doubleheader, which was his third game played for Baltimore this season.

The O's are confident in the duo of Huff and Tromp to fill in until Rutschman and Basallo return.

"With Rutsch and Basallo, I'm pretty confident in saying it's the best catching tandem in the big leagues, and it's tough to replace," Albernaz said. "But with Huffy and Trompy, they do a great job of defense behind the plate, navigating our pitchers, calling a great game. So it's a lot of slack to pick up, but Trompy and Huffy, they have the pedigree to do it."

"I love them both," right-hander Dean Kremer said. "Both of them are very good between the ears and I trust them wholeheartedly, and I know the staff does as well."