Basallo reinstated from IL, inserted into O's lineup vs. Yankees

BALTIMORE -- A big bat is back in Baltimore's lineup.

The Orioles reinstated catcher Samuel Basallo from the 10-day injured list and inserted the 22-year-old into the lineup for Wednesday night's game vs. the Yankees at Camden Yards. Basallo started at first base and batted cleanup in his return after spending the past four weeks on the IL due to right shoulder inflammation.

Infielder/outfielder Jeremiah Jackson was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk as the corresponding move. So, the O's will be carrying three catchers on their 26-man active roster for the time being, with Basallo joining Carlos Narváez and Yohel Pozo.

Baltimore greatly missed the presence of the left-handed-hitting Basallo, who has been one of the club's top offensive producers in his first full MLB season. The former top prospect from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, hit .241 with nine doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, 46 RBIs and a .756 OPS in 86 games before going on the IL for the first time in his big league career.

Basallo played two rehab games earlier this week. He caught seven innings and went 1-for-4 with a double and three RBIs for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday afternoon, then went 0-for-5 and played nine innings at first for Double-A Chesapeake on Tuesday night.

"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 started at first base, as Pete Alonso was in the lineup at designated hitter for the fourth consecutive day. Alonso has not played first since Saturday night, when he was dealing with a right calf cramp at Tropicana Field. So, the Orioles continue to be cautious with their 31-year-old star first baseman.

Narváez and Pozo don't have the same offensive potential as Basallo, but each has carved out a role with Baltimore of late. Narváez has been praised for his work behind the plate -- both for his defense and his management of the pitching staff -- while Pozo has brought a ton of energy to the dugout in recent games.

Jackson was optioned for the second time this season, as the 26-year-old wasn't getting nearly as many opportunities to play second base with Jackson Holliday getting a run as the everyday starter there. Jackson was optioned to Triple-A on June 28, then returned five days later.

In 89 games with the O's this season, Jackson was hitting .226 with 10 doubles, seven home runs, 39 RBIs and a .614 OPS. The right-handed hitter had mostly been used as a pinch-hitter off the bench recently, having made only two starts since Aug. 7.

The Orioles don't have much depth in the middle infield at the moment. Holliday and Gunnar Henderson are the starters at second and shortstop, respectively, but there's no bench player who has experience at either position. That will change, however, when utility man Blaze Alexander returns.

Alexander, who has been on the IL since July 13 due to a left hand fracture, is expected to begin a rehab assignment later this week. The 27-year-old hopes to rejoin Baltimore during its road series vs. the A's from Aug. 28-30.

These reinforcements are coming at a great time for the O's (61-65), who are in the thick of a crowded American League Wild Card race and trying to make a push into the postseason.