Orioles reinstate Samuel Basallo, who will bat cleanup against Yankees

The Orioles brought their phenom catcher back to the big leagues after just two rehab games.

Samuel Basallo, who hasn’t played since July 19 due to right shoulder inflammation, was reinstated off the injured list prior to Wednesday’s matchup against the New York Yankees. The 22-year-old will bat cleanup and play first base in the middle game of the team’s three-game series against the Yankees.

“It’s nice writing Sammy’s name in the lineup,” manager Craig Albernaz said with a smile. “Missed him.”

Basallo was one of the Orioles’ most productive hitters before hitting the IL. He racked up 1.5 wins above replacement, according to Baseball Reference, and his 16 home runs still rank fourth on the team, even after a month on the shelf.

He made just one appearance with Triple-A Norfolk and one with Double-A Bowie, going 1-for-9 with a double.

“It’s good to have him back, and especially the way he attacked this rehab process,” Albernaz said. “He handled it like a total pro, worked his tail off. His body’s in a really good spot. He’s moving well. Very athletic and I think he’s in the box moving better than he has in the past.”

The Orioles are optioning second baseman Jeremiah Jackson to the Tides as the corresponding move. Baltimore will keep three catchers — Basallo, Carlos Narváez and Yohel Pozo — on the big league roster.

It’s been a rough month for Jackson, whose last hit came on July 20. He received just 20 plate appearances in August.

“Every time we option or designate or release a player, it’s always tough, especially someone like J.J.,” Albernaz said. “What he’s done for the team, and obviously he hasn’t played as much as he wanted to but he did an outstanding job in the role that he was in and handled it like a pro. But ultimately J.J. needs to get at-bats, get those reps. So that’s what we decided on.”

The move leaves the Orioles with just two middle infielders on the 26-man roster: second baseman Jackson Holliday and shortstop Gunnar Henderson.

The versatile Blaze Alexander will appear in rehab games soon and said Wednesday he hopes to be activated for the team’s series against the Athletics that begins Aug. 28.

Basallo is returning to a lineup that looks a lot different from the last time he played. Gone is Adley Rutschman, the veteran who helped Basallo adjust to the big leagues.

“We just want Sammy to be Sammy,” Albernaz said. “We don’t want him to be anything more than what he is, and Sammy has shown he can really do some special things behind the plate.”

After suffering a calamity of injuries at the position a year ago, the Orioles have cycled through seven catchers through 126 games this season. Narváez and Pozo have both shown value: Narváez’s mostly coming from behind the dish, Pozo’s coming in the batter’s box.

Albernaz said that Basallo has gotten to know both catchers as he’s participated in meetings during his time on the injured list.

“They’re already cultivating that relationship and it’s been really cool to see them kind of communicate, collaborate, see what they see, and especially with Carlos and Pozo trying to learn the pitching staff, with Sammy being there to kind of help guide them with what he’s seen and what they do best,” he said. “So it’s been a lot of value added.”