Chris Bassitt Faces Orioles Hitters in Spring Training Session

SARASOTA, Fla. — On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the Baltimore Orioles’ Chris Bassitt stepped onto the mound at Ed Smith Stadium for his first live batting practice of the spring. This session occurred while the rest of the team played against the Minnesota Twins down Interstate 75. Bassitt, who joined the Orioles just days into spring training on a one-year, $18.5 million deal, faced several notable teammates, including Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson.

At 35 years old, Bassitt reported to Sarasota ready to ramp up his preparation for the upcoming season. The Orioles took a cautious approach, having him participate in multiple bullpen sessions before allowing him to face hitters. During the session, Bassitt completed two “ups,” which are modified innings based on pitch count, and recorded two strikeouts. He did issue three walks, notably walking Henderson twice, but managed to limit hard contact overall.

“I don’t like facing our hitters,” Bassitt remarked after the practice. “You can’t really work a lot of what you want to do. The next one will be in games, thankfully.” He emphasized the mutual protection players offer each other during practice, noting that the main goal was to get repetitions rather than showcase his full capabilities.

One of the standout moments came during Bassitt’s second at-bat against Alonso. The first baseman jokingly accused Bassitt of trying to avoid him after Bassitt called for Henderson to take an extra at-bat. The two shared some light banter, with Bassitt challenging Alonso with a fastball that resulted in a pop-up. “You knew what was coming,” Bassitt quipped, to which Alonso playfully retorted, “No, I didn’t.” Such interactions highlight the camaraderie within the team as they prepare for the season.

Looking ahead, Bassitt is tentatively scheduled to make his Orioles spring debut against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. He expressed satisfaction with his progress thus far, stating, “I feel really, really good right now. I feel great about the buildup and the game plan to get into the season.” As he aims to catch up to his fellow starters by opening day, Bassitt is focused on maintaining the right physical condition and pitch count.

Zach Eflin Targets Opening Day Return

Meanwhile, fellow starter Zach Eflin is also working towards a return for the beginning of the season. Eflin, 31, has been progressing slowly after undergoing back surgery in August. He is scheduled to complete a live bullpen session on Friday, which will include multiple “ups” for the first time this spring. Despite his delayed ramp-up, Eflin remains optimistic about being ready for opening day.

“I’ve had a slower spring than this and still been ready for the season,” Eflin stated. He stressed that his preparation methods might differ from others but that he knows how to ensure he is game-ready. Eflin emphasized the importance of open communication about his condition after each outing.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz expressed caution regarding Eflin’s timeline, stating, “We’re just taking one day at a time with Eflin. We want to make sure that each step is made, especially coming off the back injury.” The team is being meticulous in evaluating Eflin’s readiness, which will significantly influence their rotation strategy for the start of the 2026 season.

With six potential starters in the mix, including Tyler Wells, the Orioles may consider a six-man rotation to manage the workloads of pitchers returning from injuries, such as Eflin and Kyle Bradish. As the team continues to navigate spring training, the health and readiness of its pitchers will be critical in shaping their approach as the season approaches.