BALTIMORE -- Despite coming off the bench to play both Monday and Tuesday, Samuel Basallo was again out of the Orioles' starting lineup for Wednesday night's game vs. the Mariners at Camden Yards. The 21-year-old catcher/designated hitter hasn't started since Sunday -- the same day he felt discomfort in his left wrist, which was later determined to stem from bony growth that Basallo has likely long had.
Basallo has appeared to be fine when playing the past two games. He got one at-bat and caught one inning in Monday's loss, then got two plate appearances and caught three innings in Tuesday's defeat.
So, why hasn't Basallo yet returned to the starting lineup for Baltimore?
"Sammy’s had great work days the past couple days, and today as well, and he’ll be available off the bench today as well," manager Craig Albernaz said prior to Wednesday's game. "Just doing what’s best for Sammy. Long season."
There's been plenty of discourse this week about the situation, which has brought comments from both Albernaz and Basallo in recent days. But Albernaz said there's been "no disconnect" between him and Basallo when asked if there had been any on Wednesday.
After Sunday's game, Albernaz said Basallo is "learning a lot how to play through being nicked up when everything is checked out and everything is fine." The next day, Albernaz disclosed the bony growth in Basallo's wrist and called it "another step in his development, is knowing how to play through some pain and not being 100 percent all the time.”
Basallo pushed back a bit on the notion that it's a learning process and said he's capable of playing through minor ailments, as he's shown during his professional career.
"Everybody plays with pains, everybody plays with injuries and whatever, and I know that because I’ve been through a lot of stuff and it’s just how it is," Basallo said before Tuesday's game. "Some days, I feel fine and I don’t control when they take me out of the game. That’s just how it is, that’s how it works."
On Wednesday, Albernaz was asked about the comments Basallo made to multiple media outlets.
"Me and Sammy have constant conversations, and I love that Sammy’s voicing what he’s feeling," Albernaz said. "He’s voiced it to me, too, and it’s one of those things where it’s short-term pain for long-term gain."
When Albernaz was asked if he felt Basallo thought the manager may have been questioning his toughness at any point in recent days, Albernaz said, "No, not at all."
As for Basallo remaining out of the starting lineup, who has been making that decision? Basallo, Albernaz or the Orioles' medical staff?
"Oh, it’s my decision. At the end of the day, I’m the manager of the team and everything falls on me and it’s been my decision," Albernaz said. "Sometimes, you have to make decisions where it’s not popular decisions, but it’s ultimately what you feel like is best for the team and the players moving forward, and that’s something that I don’t take lightly. In Sammy’s case, to Sammy’s credit, he’s ready. ...
"Sammy’s such a great player, smart kid. I keep on talking about -- everyone talks about -- the talent and the physical tools are there, but he’s such an upright kid, smart kid, especially for 21 years old and being a catcher. It’s a lot on his plate. So with Sammy, we’re playing the long game with Sammy, and we’re here to love and support him."
Basallo has twice been removed from games due to injuries (right abdominal discomfort last Friday and left wrist discomfort on Sunday) and was scratched from the lineup on May 11 due to left knee discomfort. He has been among Baltimore's top hitters, batting .263 with nine doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 27 RBIs and an .801 OPS in 56 games during his first full MLB season.
The former top prospect is a big part of the Orioles' future, as Basallo signed an eight-year, $67 million extension with the club last August.
Adley Rutschman has been sidelined with left hamstring tightness and remains day to day, so Sam Huff has started at catcher for the O's in three consecutive games.