Orioles manager Craig Albernaz planned on giving Samuel Basallo a start tonight against a left-hander, choosing a hot bat over splits.

Typical of this team, a health issue cropped up and forced a change in the lineup.

Basallo was scratched with left knee discomfort. Coby Mayo is the replacement as designated hitter and batting sixth.

Basallo held onto the ball yesterday during a hard collision at home plate with the Athletics’ Carlos Cortes in the seventh inning. The Orioles kept their 2-1 lead after Leody Taveras’ outfield assist.

Basallo glared at Cortes and aggressively slapped hands with starter Chris Bassitt and manager Craig Albernaz, who walked onto the grass to guide his young catcher back to the dugout.

“Anytime a play happens at the plate, I’m expecting it, just so I’m ready for it,” Basallo said via interpreter Brandon Quinones. “Sure enough in that moment, it did happen, and thankfully I was ready for it and I was able to brace for impact.”

The game concluded with Basallo still in it, but the knee began bothering him today.

Basallo usually sits against lefties, but Albernaz wrote his name into the lineup against the Yankees’ Ryan Weathers. Basallo has a six-game hitting streak and is slashing .397/.435/.638 (23-for-58) with six doubles, a triple, two home runs, 11 RBIs and eight runs scored since April 20.

His 93.2 mph average exit velocity leads all primary catchers this season.

The 40-man roster includes a third catcher, Maverick Handley, who’s playing for Double-A Chesapeake.

*The Orioles selected the contract of left-hander Josh Walker from Triple-A Norfolk. He’s wearing No. 61.

Trey Gibson was optioned to Norfolk.

Walker has a 4.40 ERA in 11 appearances with the Tides, striking out 16 in 14 1/3 innings. He’s the fourth lefty in a nine-man bullpen with Keegan Akin, Grant Wolfram and Dietrich Enns.

Outfielder Heston Kjerstad (right hamstring strain) moved to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.

Kjerstad remains eligible for reinstatement on May 24, though he’s on a rehab assignment that’s moving from Chesapeake to Norfolk on Tuesday and won’t be joining the Orioles anytime soon.