Orioles starter Chris Bassitt undergoes ‘very minor’ back surgery to remove bone spur

The Orioles will be without right-hander Chris Bassitt for the foreseeable future after he underwent an operation to remove a bone spur from his back, president of baseball operations Mike Elias said.

That was the largest injury update from Elias, who doled out several in a session with local reporters Saturday.

Bassitt received “some injections” last week to reduce inflammation in his back, Elias said, but the team and player weren’t satisfied with the outcome. In response, Bassitt underwent what Elias called a “very minor procedure” to have a bone spur removed.

The initial recovery process is going well, Elias said, but it will be at least a couple of weeks until Bassitt can begin throwing. The Orioles are optimistic Bassitt, 37, will return before the end of the year.

“We’re feeling pretty good about things right there, and I think there’s still a very strong possibility we get him back and we get him back in better condition before the end of the season,” Elias said.

Both free-agent starting pitcher signings Elias made in the offseason are on the injured list. Right-hander Zach Eflin won’t return following Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery. Bassitt’s status remains hazy.

Bassitt has pitched to a 5.27 ERA in 56 1/3 innings. In his and Eflin’s stead, right-handers Brandon Young and Trey Gibson have handled increased roles well.

Baltimore has dealt with ample injuries in recent years. According to The Athletic, the Orioles ranked third with the most days lost to the injured list from 2024 to 2026, behind the New York Mets and Yankees.

Elias said the organization has studied why that might be.

“There is a tremendous amount of misfortune and stuff that you just can’t control,” Elias said. “But there’s also some hints that we could be doing some things better, and that’s always the case in any part of baseball operations. You got to tweak things; you got to stay on your toes. I’m not going to get into specifics publicly, but we’re in the process of doing some things behind the scenes to try to get better in that department, and hopefully we can get to the point where this gets behind us a little bit. But I would emphasize we’re not the only team going through stuff like this.”

There were multiple other injury updates.

Dean Kremer, RHP

Kremer, on the injured list with a quadriceps strain since April, completed his second rehab outing with Triple-A Norfolk. On Friday, he pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings, allowing two hits while recording eight strikeouts.

Elias said Kremer is “really close” to returning.

Dylan Beavers, OF

Beavers is in Baltimore to complete a workday as he nears a return from an oblique strain. He said his swing is beginning to feel free again, with no tightness remaining in his side. Beavers didn’t know when he will be activated, and Elias called his return “close.”

Beavers was hitting .243 with a .699 OPS before his injury.

Félix Bautista, RHP

The closer stepped onto the mound this week to pitch his first bullpen session since undergoing shoulder surgery last year, but there remains a long road for Bautista.

“I gotta keep my fingers really crossed with Félix because of the nature of the surgery he had and how difficult that is,” Elias said, “but he’s throwing really, really well and we’re pretty excited about where he’s at.”

Ryan Mountcastle, 1B

Mountcastle, who broke a bone in his foot in April, has begun running. Elias said he is “getting to the point where we can see if we can like weave that into his baseball activities. I still don’t have a timeline, but he’s coming back from a broken bone and making his way back.”

Adley Rutschman, C

Rutschman’s concussion was one of the most freak injuries possible. An errant throw from Colt Emerson, the Mariners shortstop, struck him behind the ear. Rutschman has been engaged in full baseball activities the past two days, and Elias said he’s nearing a return.

Colin Selby, RHP

Selby’s shoulder inflammation has been persistent since spring training. Elias said the team is working with him to “figure out what the best course of action is, but unfortunately that doesn’t seem like he’s close to getting back up and running.”

Selby received a platelet-rich-plasma injection in May.

Yaramil Hiraldo, RHP

Hiraldo, who made the opening day roster as a reliever, will begin a rehab assignment Sunday, Elias said. He has been dealing with a shoulder injury.

Nate George, OF prospect

George, one of Baltimore’s best prospects, is out with a medical condition that Elias declined to specify. The 20-year-old hasn’t played since early May.

“He happened to have a medical condition that’s nothing to do with athletics or baseball,” Elias said. “We’re still totally confident that he’s gonna be fine, but this is the type of thing that takes a long time to come back out of and play professional sports from, so it’s gonna be a while. I don’t have much more beyond that, but he’s in good shape.”