The 21-year-old catching phenom signs an eight-year contract extension less than a week after his major league debut. Two more players go on the injured list.

Just another day in the life of the Orioles, who can bounce from unpredictable to monotonous in a matter of seconds.

They had to play the latest game on their schedule, the 128^th this season, and lost to the Astros 10-7 before an announced crowd of 24,224 at Camden Yards.

After claiming three series in a row for the first time, the best they can do against Houston is a split. Dean Kremer starts Saturday night.

Colton Cowser hit his 10^th home run in the seventh inning to reduce Houston’s lead to 7-6, the ball traveling 417 feet to right field at 108.3 mph. Reliever Enyel De Los Santos left a fastball over the middle of the plate and regretted it.

The Orioles put rookie Brandon Young on the 15-day injured list this afternoon with a strained left hamstring and selected reliever Matt Bowman’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk. A short time later, interim manager Tony Mansolino announced that infielder Jordan Westburg was going on the 10-day IL with a sprained right ankle.

So much for Westburg’s day-to-day status.

Infielder Vimael Machín had his contract selected after spending yesterday on the 24-hour medical taxi squad, and he’s wearing No. 65. He hasn’t played in the majors since 2022 with the Athletics.

Closer Félix Bautista and catcher Gary Sánchez were transferred to the 60-day IL to create openings on the 40-man roster.

Machín will be the 63^rd player used if he gets into a game, breaking the franchise record of 62 set in 2021. He’s played in 105 games with the Tides and is batting .287/.346/.475 with 25 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and 70 RBIs. He was 7-for-13 with three doubles over three games before going 0-for-5 on Sunday.

The Orioles are venturing into new territory by extending one of their young stars, and it turns out to be catcher Samuel Basallo.

The club has reached agreement with Basallo on an eight-year deal worth $67 million that also includes a club option for 2034 and escalators that make the total package worth $88.5 million. He received a $5 million signing bonus after passing his physical earlier today.

The contract represents the largest pre-arbitration extension for a catcher in major league history. And it goes to the No. 1 prospect in the organization, who turned 21 years old earlier this month and played in his fourth career game last night, and first at home.

Basallo is ranked as the No. 4 prospect overall by ESPN. Baseball America has him seventh and MLB Pipeline eighth.

The Orioles signed Basallo out of the Dominican Republic for $1.3 million in 2021, their largest bonus internationally at that time. He finally was promoted to the majors on Sunday in Houston, a day after outfielder Dylan Beavers, the No. 3 prospect in the system.

Orioles reliever Keegan Akin was on an injury rehab assignment in the minors, like so many of his teammates this season, when he first heard about it.

Closer Félix Bautista informed the club in the seventh inning of a July 23 game in Cleveland that he couldn’t pitch. Interim manager Tony Mansolino heard someone slam the dugout phone and knew immediately that the call was troubling. Akin had the same feeling about 500 miles away in Allentown, Pa.

The only information shared by the club pertained to discomfort in the right shoulder that Mansolino described as “significant.” The Orioles didn’t downplay it, but tears in both the rotator cuff and labrum were jolting.

“I didn’t really have an idea, honestly,” Akin said. “It happened when I was on a rehab and I just heard that it wasn’t good, and from the explanation when it happened, they weren’t quite sure what it was. That’s why I think it took so long and a few extra doctor’s appointments to make sure. It’s one of those things, you’ve got to make sure what’s going on there. It’s a pretty serious injury.

“Definitely a little surprised there. It’s just unfortunate.”

Brandon Young couldn’t duplicate the drama.

Young was perfect for 7 2/3 innings in Houston, returned home tonight and allowed a hit and home run among his first four batters. The Astros didn’t let the rookie get on another roll.

Christian Walker’s two-run shot with two outs in the first inning was followed by Carlos Correa’s two-run single in the second. Houston scored three times in the third before Young retired a batter, and the Orioles stayed down in a 7-2 loss before an announced crowd of 18,061 at Camden Yards.

Young was charged with seven runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings and exited after covering first base to retire Jacob Melton on a ground ball to Coby Mayo leading off the sixth. Young came down hard on his left leg, began limping past the bag, and interim manager Tony Mansolino removed him and called for reliever Yaramil Hiraldo.

The club announced that Young had left hamstring discomfort. Depending on the severity of the injury, he could be the starter who steps aside for Kyle Bradish’s return next week.

One day after Orioles closer Félix Bautista underwent surgery to repair the rotator cuff and labrum in his right shoulder, catcher Adley Rutschman landed on the injured list again with a strained oblique and might not return in 2025.

The hits keep coming in the most negative manner.

Rutschman was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup in Boston with discomfort in his right side. He hadn’t played since Sunday in Houston.

This is the opposite side from Rutschman’s previous strain, which led to his first career stop on the injured list and cost him five weeks of the season.

Asked whether Rutschman could be out for the rest of the summer, interim manager Tony Mansolino replied, “Hard to speculate on that.”

Orioles catcher Adley Ruschman is on the injured list for the second time this season and in his career. 

Rutschman has a strained right oblique, which is the opposite side of his previous injury. He missed about five weeks the last time and is questionable to return next month. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said it's a "mild" strain.

Outfielder Daniel Johnson was activated from the taxi squad to replace Rutschman.

Mansolino said rookie Samuel Basallo will be the everyday catcher. The Orioles play eight games on this homestand and Basallo could catch five or six.

Infielder Jordan Westburg remains day-to-day with a sore right ankle. The discomfort has lessened, which brings optimism that he can avoid the IL. 

The Orioles return from their off-day to begin a four-game series against the Astros at Camden Yards, with questions lingering about a couple of players who weren’t available Tuesday night in Boston.

Infielder Jordan Westburg exited Monday’s game in the first inning with discomfort in his right ankle after stumbling as he rounded second base. He hadn’t received X-rays and the club intended to reevaluate him today.

Triple-A Norfolk infielder Vimael Machín is on the 24-hour medical taxi squad again, in case Westburg goes on the injured list for a second time. Machín has played in 105 games with the Tides and is batting .287/.346/.475 with 25 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and 70 RBIs. He was 7-for-13 with three doubles over three games before going 0-for-5 on Sunday.

Machín, who’s hitting .297/.352/.505 against right-handers, also was on the medical taxi squad Aug. 6 in Philadelphia due to Tyler O’Neill’s right wrist soreness. He hasn’t played in the majors since 2022 with the Athletics.

The Orioles have 39 players on the 40-man roster. Three catchers are part of the 26-man active roster with Rutschman joined by Samuel Basallo and Alex Jackson.

By winning a third consecutive series against teams that appear to be playoff bound, the Orioles actually moved from 10 to 8 ½ games out of the final Wild Card spot going into their off-day. They passed the Twins and have only six teams ahead of them.

Only. A reminder that the task is daunting. Pray for a baseball miracle.

Anyone who says “stranger things have happened” should be challenged to start naming them.

The Orioles are 43-33 since toting that grotesque 16-34 record. They could spend the entire offseason stretching out hamstrings by kicking themselves for the slow start. They fell into a nearly impossible position but are being stubborn, winning six of their last seven games and moving eight below .500 for the first time since July 29.

They’re also living rent-free in the heads of fans who can’t believe that their teams are losing to the last-place Orioles. The venting on social media is intense, and it’s spreading to the national media. The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, with his 5.4 million followers on X, simply posted, “The Orioles can F off.”

The Orioles will again experience life without closer Félix Bautista.

Bautista underwent shoulder surgery yesterday to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum. The club announced that Dr. Neal ElAttrache handled the procedure in Los Angeles and termed it "successful."

That last part is the only positive news. A season that's brought tremendous disappointment just delivered another devastating blow.

The initial prognosis on Bautista is a recovery period that will sideline him for at least the next 12 calendar months. A second full season is expected to proceed without him. He missed 2024 after recovering from ligament-reconstructive surgery in his right elbow.

Today's update wasn't unexpected but still hit hard. It's grossly unfair to the 2023 All-Star reliever and to the Orioles, who again must search for a closer during the offseason. They tried veteran Craig Kimbrel last year, offering a $12 million contract and releasing him in September with a 5.33 ERA over 57 appearances.

BOSTON – The Orioles didn’t bring their smoke machines and disco lights to Fenway Park. The ballpark is so old, the equipment might have blown out the fuses or started a fire. But you could hear players through the walls celebrating after Monday night’s win.

Voices were loud. Veteran pitcher Trevor Rogers made a speech praising 21-year-old rookie catcher Samuel Basallo on his first major league game behind the plate. Basallo didn’t understand every word but appreciated the kindness, smiling through most of his postgame interview at his locker.

The words coming from the stereo last night were understood and not suited for a post-game television broadcast. The music had to be turned down, but you couldn’t kill the party.

This group is having fun again.

Coping with adversity is a big part of it, including the latest round of physical setbacks.

BOSTON – One of their best hitters limped to his locker this afternoon and back to the trainers’ room, leaving behind a walking boot for his injured right ankle. The two-time All-Star catcher was scratched from the lineup with discomfort in his right side.

The interim manager had two healthy players on his bench, both rookies with a combined 16 games of major league experience, and no idea who would close in a save situation - if the Orioles were able to create it.

“I feel like we’ve got a chance to go play a good game,” said Tony Mansolino, armed with a healthy supply of optimism.

What’s lacking is experienced and reliable late-inning relief, but Mansolino worked around it in a 4-3 11-inning victory over the Red Sox before an announced crowd of 37,435 at Fenway Park.

Samuel Basallo registered his fifth RBI in three games with a swinging bunt against Garrett Whitlock in the top of the 11th that scored automatic runner Jeremiah Jackson. Corbin Martin was summoned, Connor Wong laid down a sacrifice bunt, but automatic runner Nate Eaton held on a medium-range fly ball to Colton Cowser in left-center. The throw home was way off the mark. 

BOSTON - Interim manager Tony Mansolino sat down in the dugout this afternoon for his daily media scrum and said, “Whatever you guys have got, I’m ready to go.”

Orioles injuries tend to be the main topic. Notepads are recommended. Memories can't be trusted. 

Infielder Jordan Westburg exited last night’s game in the first inning with discomfort in his right ankle and he’s out of tonight’s lineup. He’s avoided a second trip to the injured list and the Orioles will reevaluate his status after Wednesday’s break in the schedule.

“Came in sore today but not quite as sore as we thought he might be, which was a positive sign,” Mansolino said. “It’s hard to be overly optimistic until probably after the off-day, so I think we get to Thursday we’ll have a pretty good idea if we’re gonna kind of keep him day-to-day and keep him off the IL and what that kind of looks like. Doesn’t mean he’s gonna play Thursday, but if we’re able to just kind of suck it up four or five days and then play him.

“If Thursday he comes in and there’s not a lot of improvement, then we’re gonna have to consider the IL.”

BOSTON – Adley Rutschman was scratched from tonight’s Orioles lineup with right abdominal discomfort.

Rutschman didn’t play last night, with Samuel Basallo making his first start behind the plate. Alex Jackson is catching tonight.

The lineup shuffling has Jackson batting ninth and third baseman Luis Vázquez moving up from eighth to second.

Jordan Westburg was limping in the clubhouse earlier today and had a walking boot at his locker. He exited last night’s game in the first inning after twisting his right ankle.

So far, he's avoided the injured list. Interim manager Tony Mansolino will provide an update later. 

BOSTON – Jordan Westburg is out of tonight’s Orioles lineup after injuring his right ankle last night in the first inning.

An update is coming later.

Samuel Basallo also is on the bench. Luis Vázquez is starting at third base. Dylan Beavers is in right field. Ryan Mountcastle is the designated hitter.

Coby Mayo is playing first base.

Tonight marks Tomoyuki Sugano’s 24^th major league start. He’s posted a 4.13 ERA in 126 1/3 innings, and he’s only the 10^th Japanese-born pitcher to win 10 games as a rookie.

BOSTON – Those moments during the season when it felt like the Orioles were scrambling to fill out their roster have disappeared like one of Samuel Basallo’s home run balls in the minors.

The crab cake analogy fits again – less filler makes for a better product.

Manager Tony Mansolino has a plan, devised by the group, and it’s going to get Basallo, Dylan Beavers and Coby Mayo in the lineup on most nights. Mayo and Adley Rutschman sat last night because Basallo needed to catch and Ryan Mountcastle needed to get some reps at first base. Players can rotate into the designated hitter role, with Jeremiah Jackson taking his turn against the Red Sox.

“It’s exciting,” Mansolino said. “It’s a good problem to have.”

Much better than those constant headaches.

BOSTON – One day after the Orioles scored a dozen runs in a shutout in Houston and celebrated the infusion of young prospect talent and energy on the roster, Jordan Westburg limped off the field and reminded everyone that the 2025 season is a cruel mistress.

Take the good, and there’s much more of it lately, but prepare to get hurt again. It’s a package deal.

Westburg came out of the game with right ankle discomfort, but the Orioles didn’t let it spoil their evening. Trevor Rogers produced another gem with one run in seven innings and the Orioles prevailed 6-3 over the Red Sox at Fenway Park for their fifth win in six games.

Rogers lowered his ERA to 1.41 and WHIP to 0.80 with his 10^th quality start in 12 appearances. Gunnar Henderson hit his 15^th home run in the third inning to create a three-way tie with Westburg and Jackson Holliday for the team lead, and he added a run-scoring triple in the seventh. Samuel Basallo collected his first major league extra-base hit and added a two-run single in the ninth. Dylan Beavers had his first RBI and reached base four times.

Ryan Mountcastle returned to first base, singled three times and flied to the center field wall at 404 feet and 107.2 mph.

BOSTON – Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill started baseball activities today at Fenway Park as he works toward a return from a right wrist injury.

O’Neill went on the injured list retroactive to Aug. 6 due to the inflammation.

“Threw the baseball for the first time today,” he said while standing at his locker in the visiting clubhouse. “So now it’s buildup and baseball progression, and hopefully it goes quick.”

Rosters expand on Sept. 1, but O’Neill might be able to return later this month.

“I haven’t had a specific date set in mind,” he said. “I could see that being reasonable. Hopefully, things progress quickly and I’m back before that, but you never know during the buildup. It might be a little longer. But what I know right now is I’m feeling good, I’m pretty much pain-free. It’s just getting back to baseball shape now.”

BOSTON – The Orioles have won four of their last five games and are sending out another lineup tonight ripe with top prospects.

Samuel Basallo is catching his first major league game, with Adley Rutschman on the bench. Dylan Beavers is in right field.

Coby Mayo also is on the bench. Ryan Mountcastle gets the start at first base. Jeremiah Jackson is the designated hitter.

Left-hander Trevor Rogers has a 1.43 ERA and 0.808 WHIP in 11 starts. And it all began with his start at Fenway Park in Game 2 of a May 24 doubleheader, when he allowed two hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings.

Hoyt Wilhelm (1.25 in 1959) is the only Orioles pitcher with a lower ERA in the first 11 starts in a season. Jim Palmer is third at 1.68 in 1975.

Anyone else want to play the outfield?

The Orioles aren’t holding tryouts but there’s a little experimenting with Jeremiah Jackson, who started in right again yesterday. Dylan Beavers will get plenty of starts in the corners – right Saturday and left yesterday. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said the organization’s No. 3 prospect isn’t here to sit.

Colton Cowser moves back to center field after being planted in left prior to his concussion. Greg Allen, Jordyn Adams, Daniel Johnson and Ryan Noda are gone. Tyler O’Neill is coming back, perhaps in early September.

(Adams had a triple and home run Friday night with Triple-A Norfolk and was ejected by the plate umpire after striking out. But we digress …)

Noda was listed as an infielder on the active roster, but he made three of his five career starts in right field with the Orioles.