Craig Albernaz Shares Reason For Chris Bassitt’s Removal From Orioles Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Segun Ajayi | Last updated Jun 4, 2026 1:43 PM ET

Craig Albernaz has explained the reason for Chris Bassitt’s early exit from the Orioles’ game against the Boston Red Sox. Bassitt started the game but struggled through his outing and never found a steady rhythm. He allowed three runs in three innings and loaded the bases at one point, which increased pressure on Baltimore’s bullpen and forced an early change.

The Orioles later confirmed that he didn't return for the fourth inning due to physical discomfort. After the game, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Bassitt dealt with lower back tightness, which caused the team to remove him before the situation worsened.

Orioles beat reporter Jacob Calvin Meyer reported that Albernaz described the issue as lower back tightness and said the club still needed more evaluation before determining the severity.

Bassitt showed visible discomfort during the third inning before exiting the game. He did not complete a warm-up for the fourth, and the team turned to its bullpen earlier than planned in a game that already leaned heavily on relief options.

Chris Bassitt has low back tightness, Craig Albernaz said. That’s why he was pulled early. Unclear how serious it is.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) June 4, 2026

The right-hander entered the start with inconsistent form in recent weeks. After his first May outing, he carried a 5.91 ERA, but he improved slightly in his next appearance when he allowed one run over six innings against the Toronto Blue Jays.

That outing lowered his ERA to 5.06 at the time, showing a brief stretch of stability.In his most recent start, he allowed three runs in three innings against Boston, and his command wavered as he struggled to keep runners off base.

The bases-loaded situation in his final inning created the clearest sign that something was not right physically, as his execution dropped off compared to earlier starts. The 37-year-old has posted a higher-than-normal ERA and has allowed multiple runs in several outings, which has made his recent starts difficult for the Orioles to manage.

Despite that, he has remained an important part of Baltimore’s rotation due to his experience and workload. Albernaz did not provide a timeline for Bassitt’s return or indicate whether the issue could lead to a stint on the injured list.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Bassitt (40).© Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The team will continue to monitor his condition over the next few days before deciding on the next step. Bassitt, who made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 2014, signed a one-year, $18.5 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles.

He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. He started 31 contests for the Blue Jays in the 2024 campaign, registering a 10-14 record and a 4.16 ERA with 168 strikeouts across 171 innings pitched.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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