Notes on Basallo and Cano, plus Orioles and Phillies lineups

SARASOTA, Fla. – Catcher Samuel Basallo, the No. 2 prospect in the Orioles’ system, expects to play in the Spring Breakout game on March 14 in Bradenton that features top prospects going head-to-head for seven innings.

Basallo would serve as the designated hitter because he doesn’t expect to be cleared to catch until late April “more or less” due to a stress fracture in his right elbow.

“I sure hope so,” he said this morning via interpreter Brandon Quinones, “and I think those are the plans as of right now.”

Basallo took live batting practice yesterday at Twin Lakes Park for the first time this spring. He’s been hitting against coaches.

“I felt really good and I feel really good overall,” he said. “I was just really happy that I was able to return and play again.”

MLB Pipeline ranks Basallo as the No. 17 prospect in baseball. He appeared in 83 games with Single-A Delmarva last year, 27 with High-A Aberdeen and four with Double-A Bowie, where he’s likely to return in 2024, and batted a combined .313/.402/.551 with 26 doubles, seven triples, 20 home runs and 86 RBIs in 483 plate appearances. He’s thrown out 31 percent of runners attempting to steal in three minor league seasons consisting of 127 games, and he’s also played first base to provide another option for getting into a major league lineup with Adley Rutschman entrenched behind the plate.

Basallo is more interested right now in getting into a Grapefrult League lineup, but he’s using his downtime to listen and learn.

“I think I’ve been able to gain a lot out of this major league camp, and I think this injury has actually done some good,” he said. “It’s allowed me to work on some other things mentally and things like that.

“It’s been difficult, although I’ve gotten used to it now. But at the start it was especially difficult because I’m not used to not doing as much. I’m a very active person. I like to get out there and do some different things.”          

Basallo could make his major league debut later in the summer, or certainly by 2025. He isn't setting it as a goal.

“Just trying to improve upon what I did last year,” he said, “and I think, God willing, the most important thing is staying healthy.”

Yennier Cano made his first spring appearance yesterday and tossed a scoreless inning against the Twins in Sarasota. He allowed a hit and struck out a batter in the fifth.

“I felt super good,” Cano said via Quinones. “It’s been a while since I’ve been in a competitive game out there, but I think overall everything went good. My pitches felt good, my velocity was good. So, everything checked out.”

Manager Brandon Hyde explained earlier in camp that Cano, selected as an All-Star in a setup role, was being held out of games after handling a heavy workload last summer that put 72 2/3 innings on his right arm. Cano was throwing live batting practice before yesterday’s debut.

“Since the first day I got here I spoke to the manager and pitching coach (Drew French), and their plan was to gradually build me up over the course of spring,” he said. “Obviously, I set a career high in innings last year, so they wanted to make sure I got through camp healthy, I got through camp fresh, so I can get ready for this season.”

Cano expects to pitch every three days, and then maybe every other day as the Orioles draw closer to breaking camp. He isn’t fighting for a roster spot this spring. He’s made the club and can concentrate on getting ready.

“I think it gives me a lot more confidence knowing that, whereas last year and over the course of spring you’re not really sure what’s going on, I think for this year it’s given me a lot more confidence,” Cano said. “Giving me the ability to really focus in on some things and take my time getting prepared for this upcoming season.”

A season when he’s supposed to stay mainly in a setup role after becoming the primary closer following Félix Bautista’s elbow injury that necessitated reconstructive surgery in October.

The Orioles signed veteran Craig Kimbrel during the Winter Meetings and named him the closer. They never indicated that there might be a competition for the role.

“I was super happy because we needed a closer,” Cano said, smiling. “Obviously, we don’t have the best closer in the game with us right now in Bautista, but I think it was a great signing. When that happened, some people asked me, ‘But aren’t you a closer?’ And I was like, ‘No, I just take care of the seventh, eighth inning, or whatever they need out of me. But I’m not a closer.’

“I was really happy to see we went out and got him, because he’s going to be big for us.”

The Orioles travel to Clearwater today to play the Phillies. Right-hander Albert Suárez is making his first start and second appearance after tossing two scoreless and hitless innings with no walks and two strikeouts.

Jackson Holliday is leading off and playing shortstop, followed by third baseman Jordan Westburg and center fielder Colton Cowser. Heston Kjerstad is in right field and Coby Mayo is the designated hitter.

Kyle Stowers is playing left field and Connor Norby is the second baseman.

Cedric Mullins wasn’t at his locker this morning during media availability to provide an update on his sore right hamstring. He came out of yesterday’s game in the first inning after reaching second base.

Kyle Bradish is playing catch again this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

Bradish said he’s extended to 140 feet, which is about the maximum for him under normal circumstances. He also said his right elbow still feels good, which is keeping him on his throwing progression.

For the Orioles

Jackson Holliday SS
Jordan Westburg 3B
Colton Cowser CF
Tyler Nevin 1B
Heston Kjerstad RF
Coby Mayo DH
Kyle Stowers LF
Connor Norby 2B
Michael Pérez C

Albert Suárez RHP

Also available to pitch today are Andrew Suárez, Tucker Davidson, Kaleb Ort, Matt Krook and Chayce McDermott.

The Phillies are listing Zack Wheeler, Max Castillo, Michael Mercado, Luis Ortiz and Tyler McKay. Wheeler agreed this week to a three-year extension for $126 million.

For the Phillies

Kyle Schwarber LF
Trey Turner SS
J.T. Realmuto C
Alec Bohm 3B
Jake Cave 1B
Cristian Pache CF
Edmundo Sosa 2B
Cal Stevenson RF
Cam Gallagher DH

Zack Wheeler RHP

Julio Teheran starts for the Orioles Wednesday night against the Pirates’ Mitch Keller in Sarasota – weather permitting, since there’s rain in the forecast.