Orioles Announce Samuel Basallo News After Leaving Tigers Game

Basallo made his MLB debut last August and struggled across 31 games, hitting just .165 with a .229 on-base percentage and .559 OPS, along with four home runs and 15 RBIs.  

Despite those numbers, his raw power remains clear, and the Orioles view him as a future middle-of-the-order bat. This makes spring training especially important for his development and confidence heading into the season. 

That progress hit a setback during Thursday’s spring training game against the Detroit Tigers in Sarasota, Florida. In the top of the third inning, Detroit outfielder Matt Vierling attempted to score from first base on a double.  

Basallo made the tag at home plate to record the out but appeared to injure himself during the play. He remained on the ground for several minutes before walking off with trainers and exiting the game. 

The Orioles later announced that Basallo is dealing with right side abdominal discomfort (h/t Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun).  

This is significant because core injuries can impact a hitter’s swing, power and overall ability to rotate through contact. For a young player still adjusting to big-league pitching, any limitation in that area could slow development. 

Fortunately, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said after the game that Basallo could have finished and that removing him was strictly a “precautionary” move. With Opening Day approaching, Baltimore is clearly prioritizing his long‑term health above everything else.

For a team aiming to return to the playoffs in a competitive American League East, Basallo’s role is important. As MLB’s No. 8 overall prospect, his status will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.