Orioles Place Chris Bassitt on Injured List as Baltimore’s Rotation Problems Continue to Grow

The Baltimore Orioles have endured a frustrating 2026 season, and their pitching staff continues to be one of the biggest reasons behind the team’s struggles.

After entering the year with postseason expectations, Baltimore has instead watched its starting rotation become one of the most disappointing units in Major League Baseball. Injuries, inconsistency, and underperformance have combined to create significant challenges, and the latest setback involves veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt.

The Orioles recently announced that Bassitt has been placed on the 15-day injured list, adding another concern to an already depleted pitching staff.

Why Is Chris Bassitt on the Injured List?

According to the Orioles, Bassitt was placed on the injured list retroactive to June 5 because of lower back discomfort.

Back injuries can be difficult to manage for pitchers due to the stress placed on the body throughout the throwing motion. Even minor discomfort can affect velocity, command, and overall effectiveness.

Although the injury does not currently appear to be season-ending, it is still a concerning development for both Bassitt and the Orioles.

Baltimore was counting on the veteran right-hander to provide stability and leadership within the rotation. Instead, the team will now be forced to move forward without one of its most experienced starters for at least the near future.

Chris Bassitt Has Struggled During His First Season in Baltimore

Despite arriving with high expectations, Bassitt has not produced the results many expected.

The veteran pitcher, who carries an annual salary of approximately $18.5 million, has struggled to find consistency throughout the season.

Over 12 appearances, including 10 starts, Bassitt has posted a 5.27 ERA.

Those numbers fall well below the standards he established during previous stops in his career and have contributed to Baltimore’s overall pitching issues.

While his performance has been disappointing, losing another starter is far from ideal for a club already dealing with numerous injuries.

Even struggling veterans provide valuable innings, and replacing that experience is rarely easy.

Orioles Rotation Continues to Be Hit by Injuries

Bassitt’s absence only adds to a growing list of health concerns within the Orioles’ rotation.

Several key starters are already unavailable, leaving Baltimore with limited options.

Among the pitchers currently dealing with injuries are:

• Dean Kremer
• Zach Eflin
• Cade Povich

With so many starters unavailable, the Orioles have been forced to rely heavily on the remaining healthy arms.

Unfortunately, the results have been mixed.

Trevor Rogers and Shane Baz Have Yet to Deliver

Baltimore hoped Trevor Rogers and Shane Baz would help stabilize the rotation this season.

Instead, both pitchers have struggled to consistently deliver quality outings.

Their uneven performances have further increased pressure on the rest of the staff and contributed to the Orioles’ disappointing results on the mound.

When a rotation experiences both injuries and underperformance simultaneously, depth becomes extremely important.

At the moment, Baltimore appears to be running short on answers.

Kyle Bradish and Brandon Young Have Been Bright Spots

Despite the overall struggles, not everything has gone wrong for the Orioles.

Kyle Bradish has continued to perform at a high level and remains one of the most dependable pitchers on the roster.

Meanwhile, Brandon Young has emerged as another encouraging development for Baltimore.

Both pitchers have provided much-needed stability and have been among the few consistent bright spots during an otherwise difficult season for the starting staff.

However, even strong performances from Bradish and Young have not been enough to overcome the rotation’s numerous problems.

Orioles Expected Much More From Their Pitching Staff

Entering the season, many analysts believed Baltimore possessed enough talent to compete for a playoff spot.

The organization made several investments designed to strengthen the roster and support a young core of position players.

Instead, the pitching staff has become one of the team’s biggest weaknesses.

A lack of consistency from veteran acquisitions, combined with injuries throughout the rotation, has prevented the Orioles from building momentum.

The loss of Bassitt only adds another obstacle.

Could Baltimore Look for Help Before the Trade Deadline?

As the season progresses, the Orioles may eventually be forced to explore external options.

If injuries continue to pile up, Baltimore’s front office could become active before the trade deadline in search of starting pitching depth.

Veteran starters are always in demand during the summer months, and teams hoping to remain competitive often turn to the trade market for reinforcements.

Whether Baltimore chooses to buy or sell may ultimately depend on where the team stands in the playoff race over the coming weeks.

Back Injuries Can Be Difficult for Pitchers

One of the reasons Bassitt’s injury is concerning is the nature of back problems for pitchers.

Lower back discomfort can linger and sometimes require extended recovery periods.

Because pitching mechanics place tremendous strain on the core and lower body, even minor issues can affect performance.

The Orioles will likely proceed cautiously with Bassitt’s rehabilitation process to ensure the veteran returns fully healthy.

At this point, no official timetable beyond the minimum 15-day injured list stay has been announced.

Baltimore Faces a Critical Stretch

The Orioles now enter an important stretch of the season with an already thin rotation becoming even thinner.

Losing Chris Bassitt is not ideal, regardless of his struggles this season.

His experience, durability, and ability to provide innings remain valuable assets for a team searching for stability.

As Baltimore attempts to navigate another injury setback, the organization will hope Bassitt can recover quickly and eventually return to help a rotation desperately seeking answers.

For now, the Orioles must rely on the remaining healthy arms while hoping their injury situation does not worsen.

Stay tuned for more Baltimore Orioles news, MLB injury updates, and trade deadline coverage.