Today’s 6-4 loss to the Nationals dropped the Orioles to 39-46, but Baltimore remains just three games out of the American League wild card spot. Ten of the AL’s 15 teams have losing records, leaving the Orioles within striking distance of the playoffs if they can finally find any kind of extended hot streak.
“I wish we had come at that in a very different way, and the context around it is unusual. But we are here,” president of baseball Mike Elias said of his team’s presence in the playoffs when he spoke with Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, Jacob Calvin Meyer of the Baltimore Sun, and other reporters on Saturday. That’s why the O’s still have an eye on buying rather than selling at the Aug. 3 trade deadline, though Elias admitted that could happen in the next five weeks.
“That’s how we plan [towards buying] if it happens,” said Elias.I have to look at the conditions and what is happening. I will be doing the right thing for the franchise, no matter what else. We will have to see how we stand and how our team is then. But of course we are making those preparations and everyone in this building is thinking about looking for it in 2026.“
It’s now almost two full years of mediocre baseball for the Orioles since they started the 2024 season with a 57-33 record. The O’s were 34-38 in the final 72 games of the 2024 campaign and still reached the postseason but were swept by the Royals over two games in the wild-card series. Baltimore then struggled through an injury-plagued 2025 season as the club fell to 75-87, ending a streak of three straight seasons.
In this broader context, it’s fair to wonder if the Orioles can reach for another gear. Injuries also played a big role in the 2026 season, but several players were expected to be cornerstones (ie. Gunnar Henderson, Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers) also range from consistent to disappointing. Just “consistency” may be enough to get the O’s past the playoff line in a weak American League, but the Orioles have some work to do to get to the .500 mark.
Elias declined to specify what the Orioles will look to add at the deadline, though strengthening the rotation or bullpen seems like the most obvious targets. IO’s may also stand to add at least one bat to the infield or outfield mix, however the extent of the team’s buy-in will depend on how many (or) Hendersons, Jackson Holiday, Tyler O’Neill, Colton Cowseror Coby Mayo can start the route in July.
As one might expect, Elias didn’t really address the possibility of the Orioles being traded at the deadline, as the club remains focused on getting back into contention. However, what Elias did was downplay the possibility Adley Rutschman it was any kind of trading chip.
“He’s been a cornerstone, basically, since I’ve been here, so he’s a big part of it.,” said Elias.I wish our commitment was greater than it is. We want him here forever. That is not something that crosses the desk or the agenda. Our focus is, first of all, we want to get you back, but we want to win with him here.”
Rutschman has one more year of arbitration eligibility before entering free agency following the 2027 season. Selected first overall in the 2019 draft, Rutschman’s MLB career has seen peaks and valleys that have largely characterized the Orioles’ results over the past five seasons. This year, Rutschman hit a solid .255/.332/.456 with eight homers over 232 plate appearances, while missing some time due to minor IL stints (the catcher was just activated from a concussion-related IL today).
While Rutschman appears to be back in good shape, it remains to be seen if an extension is truly in the cards. Speculation about Rutschman’s future in Baltimore reached a new level when another catcher Samuel Basallo was signed to an eight-year extension last August, suddenly cementing Basallo as part of the Orioles’ long-term plans.
Even if the Orioles become a trade deadline, a Rutschman trade is unlikely to happen until the offseason at the earliest. Teams often choose not to acquire a catcher during the season, as catchers need time to fully acclimate to a new pitching staff. That said, catching is always unnecessary in baseball, and having Rutschman in two postseason runs instead of one might encourage other contenders to at least check with Elias about Rutschman’s availability. Elias’ statements on Saturday could be seen as a game over raising the price of Rutschman to any potential suitors, but it’s also fair to assume that Elias was sincere in wanting to keep the former 1-1 pick.
Elias gave Kubatko and company some updates on the injury scene. Dean Kremer missed two months with a quad strain, but Elias said Kremer “I’m really close” to be placed on the 60-day injured list after making two starts in Triple-A rehab. Yaramil Hiraldo is about to be given a major league rehab assignment, as the right-hander wants to return to action after shoulder inflammation kept him out of the first week of the season.
Ryan Mountcastle He’s also on the 60-day IL and hasn’t played since breaking a bone in his left foot in mid-April. Elias did not have details on when Mountcastle will be able to return, such as “he just started running and we’re getting to the point where we can see if we can incorporate it into his baseball activities.” That’s right Colin Selby he has not arrived this season due to shoulder problems which Elias said are still ongoing, and “it doesn’t look like he’s close to getting up and running again.”
Chris BassittThe timeline is also unclear, as Elias shared details that the right-hander recently had a bone removed from his ailing back. Elias described the operation as “nice little process and we’ll see where he’s at in a few weeks and see when he can start throwing….I think there’s still a very strong chance we can get him back and get him back in shape before the end of the season..”
Since Elias downplays the gravity of the situation, it’s clear that any kind of background process is a little worrisome. Even if Bassitt is ready to start throwing in two weeks, normal pitching progress and a few minor league starts will keep him from returning to the swing until sometime in August. If Bassitt doesn’t become an option until after the trade deadline, that will be another obstacle in the Orioles’ way of adding pitching before August 3rd.
Bassitt signed a one-year, $18.5MM free agent contract last season and posted a 5.27 ERA over his first 56 1/3 innings in a Baltimore uniform before an upset sent him to the 15-day IL on June 5. It appears he will be moved to the 60-day list for the 4-day IL.
Elias also gave an update on the outside prospect And Georgepartner”a medical condition unrelated to athletics or baseball. We’re still absolutely confident that he’ll be fine, but this is the kind of thing that takes a long time for him to get out and play professional games, so it’s going to be a while. I don’t have more than that, but you are in good shape.”
George last played for A-level Frederick on May 3 and has been sidelined by an undisclosed illness. A 16th-round pick of the Orioles in the 2024 draft, the O’s are besting a $445K bonus to keep George out of college, and the outfielder has appeared on many top-100 lists ahead of the 2026 season.
