In baseball statistics, a putout (denoted by PO or fly-ball when appropriate) is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:

• tagging a runner with the ball
• touching a base that a runner on a force play is trying to reach
• catching a third strike
• catching a batted ball on the fly

A putout is not recorded for players who throw the ball to another player to make a putout; they are given an assist instead. There is an exception: When the pitcher records a strikeout, no assist is recorded even though that pitcher threw the ball to the catcher, who was credited with a putout for catching the third strike.