Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo to begin rehab assignment Sunday, with MLB return nearing

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The sound you hear in the distance is the thundering herd of reinforcements. The Orioles could benefit from the addition of at least two key pieces in the near future.

Catcher Samuel Basallo is beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, which is a key step in his recovery from right shoulder inflammation. And infielder Blaze Alexander is not far behind. Alexander hit on the field Friday, is participating in full fielding drills and will hit again on the field Monday before a scan to determine how his broken hand has healed.

“In front of our eyes, the way Blaze and Sammy have progressed, and are progressing nicely — our medical staff has done a great job with both of those guys, strength and conditioning keeping their bodies in shape — it has been awesome seeing the work they’re putting in,” manager Craig Albernaz said.

“It’s all about the player and where they’re at,” Albernaz continued. “Everything is trending the right way. They’re not feeling like they’re being pushed or there’s urgency. Everything is on their own terms, so it has been awesome seeing the rehab process go.”

Basallo has been out since the middle of July. He received an injection to help ease the inflammation in his shoulder and has made strides toward a return.

On Saturday morning, Basallo made the short trip from St. Petersburg, Florida, to Sarasota, where the Orioles’ spring training facility is. He faced right-hander Félix Bautista in a live batting practice session as part of both of their recovery processes. Given how well Basallo felt, the decision was made to begin his rehab Sunday.

“He’s progressing rather nicely,” Albernaz said.

Basallo is set to play Sunday in Norfolk. Monday is an off day, and then he is expected to continue his rehab assignment Tuesday. It’s unclear how many games he’ll need.

Alexander, who broke his hand when he was hit by a pitch July 12, is progressing well. His left hand doesn’t have a cast on it anymore. In its place is his baseball glove, and Alexander has been participating in defensive drills.

Alexander is scheduled to hit in the batting cage Saturday and Sunday, then he will hit on the field once more Monday. After that, the scan will “make sure everything is healing right,” Albernaz said. “But everything is trending the right way.”

Basallo and Alexander are important pieces of this lineup, and their potential returns could help a late charge toward the postseason. Before their injuries, Basallo was hitting .241 with a .756 on-base-plus-slugging percentage and Alexander was hitting .307 with an .812 OPS.

Bautista, the right-handed closer who underwent shoulder surgery last August, is also progressing, and it’s possible he will return before the end of this season.

Bautista has a bullpen session, then another live batting practice session, on his upcoming schedule. Once he finishes both, the Orioles will determine his next steps.

Despite trading away four contributors, the Orioles are only half a game out of the final American League wild-card place as of Saturday afternoon, before they play the second game of a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Baltimore won the opener Friday night, 6-5.

“Every game means a lot,” Albernaz said. “You feel like, when you lose a game, it’s a big loss. When you win, it’s a big win. And that’s where we’re at right now in the season. That’s all you can ask for, to play meaningful baseball down the stretch.”

Having Basallo and Alexander back sooner rather than later would help.