Rutschman out after getting hit in head; Ohtani on paternity leave; Orioles-Dodgers lineups

LOS ANGELES—Catcher Adley Rutschman is out of the Orioles’ lineup for Friday night’s game against the Dodgers. Rutschman was hit in the head in the ninth inning of Thursday’s game in Seattle when he was running to first base. He was removed for a pinch-runner.

“We’re giving him the off day and still evaluating him,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “You get hit in the head with a ball, him being a catcher and consistently getting hit in the head with foul tips. I wish we could duck those, but you can’t. We’re just playing it cautious to make sure he’s okay.”

Albernaz said that Rutschman would not be available off the bench.

“He got hit in the head with the ball, so if he goes out there and is on the field, the ball’s being thrown and stuff like that. We just want to play it safe.”

Ohtani on paternity leave

The Orioles won’t be seeing Shohei Ohtani for at least the first game of the series. The Dodgers announced that he was “away from the team on paternity. He is expected back at some point this weekend.”

Jackson in left

Jeremiah Jackson is making his first major league start in left field. Taylor Ward will be the designated hitter. Since second baseman Jackson Holliday returned a month ago, Jackson has been playing less.

“J.J.’s playing time has drastically been cut,” Albernaz said. “He’s been outstanding, great teammate, still getting his work in, ready for anything. We want to get his bat in the lineup, get him in there and get Ward off his feet at DH.

“He plays every day. He’s running the bases extremely hard. His outfield play is trending in the right direction has been really trending in a really good way.”

Beavers rehabbing

Outfielder Dylan Beavers was not in Double-A Chesapeake’s lineup for Friday night’s game, one day after his first rehab game. Beavers has been on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique muscle.

“I get excited for Beavers, not so much for us,” Albernaz said. “Even though they’re rehab games and getting closer, something could always happen. I’m just happy for Beavs that he’s back playing games. The rehab process for any player, it’s a grind, both physically, but more mentally. You’re away from the team, away from the guys.

“You have to start from ground zero, almost and get built back up. I’m happy for Beavs to see him out there in competitive action, and we’re just taking it day-by-day with him.”

Orioles-Dodgers lineups

Orioles

Taylor Ward-DH

Gunnar Henderson-SS

Pete Alonso-1B

Samuel Basallo-C

Leody Taveras-RF

Colton Cowser-CF

Coby Mayo-3B

Jackson Holliday-2B

Jeremiah Jackson-LF

Trey Gibson-RHP

Dodgers

Kyle Tucker-RF

Andy Pages-CF

Freddie Freeman-1B

Mookie Betts-SS

Max Muncy-3B

Tommy Edman-LF

Ryan Ward-DH

Dalton Rushing-C

Alex Freeland-2B

Roki Sasaki-RHP

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