Bassitt K's 4 in second rehab start at Triple-A, nearing return for O's

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles’ pitching staff could look a bit different by the time the Trade Deadline passes on Monday at 6 p.m. ET. They should also be getting back a hurler who could serve as a key reinforcement in the near future.

Chris Bassitt made his second rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday afternoon, tossing 4 1/3 innings vs. Worcester. It was the second outing of the week for the 37-year-old right-hander, who previously threw 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball vs. Worcester on Tuesday.

Bassitt has been on the injured list since June 8 due to a back injury. He underwent a procedure to have a bone spur removed later that month.

Sunday proved to be another step in the right direction as Bassitt nears the end of his recovery.

How did he perform?
Bassitt allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk while recording four strikeouts during the 67-pitch, 47-strike outing. He gave up an RBI single to Mikey Romero in the third and an RBI single to Braiden Ward in the fifth, with another run scoring on the latter due to an error by center fielder Reed Trimble.

Worcester went down 1-2-3 in the first inning against Bassitt, who threw nine pitches (eight strikes) while striking out a pair during the opening frame.

Bassitt’s day ended after getting Nate Eaton to fly out for the first out of the fifth.

What’s next?
On Friday, president of baseball operations Mike Elias said the plan was for Bassitt to get “another rehab outing or two.” So while it’s possible Sunday was the veteran’s final rehab start, he may also get one more before getting reinstated.

“At this point in time, we’re expecting to have him back very soon,” Elias said.

Baltimore currently has only four starting pitchers on its 26-man roster after trading right-hander Dean Kremer to Minnesota late Friday night. Among the options to fill the fifth rotation spot are Bassitt, left-hander Cade Povich and right-hander Trey Gibson (the O’s No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline), though it’s also possible the Orioles will acquire a starter by Monday evening.

If the O’s make such a move, is there a scenario in which Bassitt could move to the bullpen?

“He’s certainly an option for both. I think we’re planning on rotation,” Elias said. “We’re building him back up as a starter, and then we’ll see what the team looks like. But we’re planning toward him coming back as a starter. We haven’t had any discussions other than him coming back as a starter.”

What else?
Bassitt has a 5.27 ERA over 12 games (10 starts) in his first year in Baltimore. But the 12-year MLB veteran has typically pitched better in the later months of the season during his career, recording a 3.32 ERA in 41 August starts and a 3.08 ERA over 42 September/October outings.