The Orioles are inching up the Wild Card standings again and they could be getting healthier.

The Tigers lost to the White Sox earlier today, and the latest shuffling in the American League standings has left the Orioles and Blue Jays a half-game out of the last Wild Card. The Orioles continue their series tonight against the Rays at Tropicana Field with a chance to be tied for a playoff spot.

The Twins, Rangers and Tigers have identical 60-63 records. Minnesota plays the Phillies later tonight and the Rangers are in Sacramento.

Meanwhile, manager Craig Albernaz told the assembled media in St. Petersburg that catcher Samuel Basallo will begin an injury rehab assignment Sunday at Triple-A Norfolk. The Tides are hosting Gwinnett.

Basallo went on the IL July 20 with inflammation in his right shoulder. He came out of the previous day’s game in Houston.

The Orioles had lost both catchers, with Adley Rutschman already on the IL with left wrist inflammation. Rutschman was traded to the Red Sox at the deadline, leaving the Orioles with Carlos Narváez and Yohel Pozo to handle the duties behind the plate.

Narváez is setting the target for Kyle Bradish tonight.

Basallo is batting .241/.305/.450 with nine doubles, a triple, 16 home runs and 46 RBIs in 86 games. He ranks third on the club in homers and also third in RBIs with Rutschman gone.

The Orioles begin a six-day homestand on Tuesday, creating the possibility that Basallo could join them before they head back on the road Aug. 25 in St. Louis.

Albernaz told the media that Félix Bautista threw live batting practice to Basallo earlier today in Sarasota. Bautista has recovered from surgery last August to repair his labrum and rotator cuff, and he’s scheduled to throw another BP session before the Orioles reevaluate him.

Also from Albernaz, per media reports, utility player Blaze Alexander took batting practice on the field for the first time yesterday and will do it again Monday before receiving more imaging on his left hand.

A rehab assignment also is drawing closer for Alexander, who suffered a non-displaced fracture when hit by a pitch on July 12. Alexander is batting .312/.368/.439 in 82 games, and he’s played six different positions.

Alexander is hoping to return by the end of this month or a few days into September.

*Right-hander Twine Palmer was reinstated today from High-A Frederick’s injured list.

Palmer has a 3.49 ERA in 18 games (eight starts) with the Keys. He’s struck out 70 batters and surrendered only three home runs in 69 2/3 innings.

*Left-hander Eric Torres was released from Double-A Chesapeake’s roster today after he posted a 7.17 ERA and 1.875 WHIP in 17 relief appearances.