SARASOTA, Florida – The Baltimore Orioles raised alarms last Thursday when Dominican catcher Samuel Basallo had to leave the Grapefruit League game against the Tigers due to physical discomfort. The young player felt a pain in the right side of his abdomen, which forced him to leave the match.
Preventive Measures
Manager Craig Albernaz explained that the decision to take Basallo out of the game was a precautionary measure. The 21-year-old player walked off the field on his own to the clubhouse after briefly remaining on the field following a defensive play.The incident occurred during a 9-4-2 relay, when Basallo was shot by shortstop Jeremiah Jackson after a double by Hao-Yu Lee. Despite managing to put out Matt Vierling at the plate, the catcher showed signs of pain after the play. Basallo, ranked as the number 8 prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, is considered a strong candidate for the American League Rookie of the Year award. In his Major League debut in 2025, Basallo had a batting average of .165, with six doubles, four home runs, 15 RBIs, and an OPS of .559 in 31 games. Although Adley Rutschman remains Baltimore’s starting catcher, Basallo is expected to have regular participation both behind the plate and in the designated hitter role, as well as occasional appearances at first base. The Dominican signed in August a contract extension for eight years and 67 million dollars, consolidating himself as a fundamental piece in the future of the organization.O’s top prospect Samuel Basallo left today’s Spring Training game when he sustained an apparent injury to his midsection.
MLB Pipeline
