'Meant a lot': Bachman gives Dad early Father's Day gift with return to Majors

BALTIMORE -- Angels reliever Sam Bachman gave his dad the best early Father’s Day present he could ask for on Saturday: A perfect inning in his much-anticipated return to the big leagues.

In his first MLB appearance since July 3, 2023, Bachman retired the heart of the Orioles' order in the seventh inning on just nine pitches, a day after he was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake.

“It meant a lot,” Bachman said. “Just knowing [the] stuff I was working through. And you know, my support system, everyone helping me. It meant a lot for everybody.”

Gunnar Henderson popped out to third base in foul territory. Next, Bachman made an excellent behind-the-back snag to turn Jordan Westburg’s firmly-hit grounder into an easy out. Then Ramón Laureano grounded out to short.

That brought Bachman’s dad, girlfriend and other family members to their feet in Section 31 at Oriole Park, to give the 25-year-old a standing ovation.

“Pretty cool. Great time for it,” Bachman said. “We were just excited. It was just great all around.”

Bachman pitched well in his previous MLB stint across 11 relief outings before right shoulder inflammation ended his campaign.

He eventually ended up on the 60-day injured list and underwent offseason right shoulder surgery, then spent all of 2024 in the Minors.

Then this spring, Bachman was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, an issue involving compression between a person’s top rib and his collarbone, and one that has impacted several big league pitchers.

But it also has a range of outcomes, and Bachman has so far avoided any additional surgery.

“Since we diagnosed it, we did some things and got the posture back,” he said. “It’s only getting better.”

Bachman was exceptional in his return to game action, pitching to a 0.79 ERA across 11 outings with Salt Lake before earning his recall. That translated into his first return to a big league mound.

“I felt in control. In command,” Bachman said. “I felt like in the past, especially my rookie year, it was kind of not controlled energy. It’s like lightning in a bottle now. The focus is there, and that’s what I like.”

Bachman isn’t sure whether remaining in the bullpen or pitching as a starter would be better for his long-term health outlook, and he said that he’s open to whatever role keeps him in the Majors.

For now, manager Ron Washington views Bachman as someone who could cover multiple relief innings, if needed.

“I was very impressed,” Washington said of Bachman’s 2025 debut. “He came in, pounded the strike zone and showed good live stuff. I’m looking forward to getting him back out there.”