Feb 16, 2025; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) during spring training workouts at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
NEW YORK—Catcher Adley Rutschman, who was scratched from Friday night’s game against the New York Yankees, has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique, retroactive to Friday.
Rutschman was supposed to be the designated hitter on Friday night. Gary Sánchez, who caught Friday night, will catch again on Saturday. Maverick Handley was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.
Rutschman is on the IL for the first time in his career. He’s hitting .227 with a .691 OPS, eight home runs and 20 RBIs.
“He’s been super durable, especially for a catcher,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “Hopefully, it’s not too long … I have no idea what happened happened to Adley. It’s something in my seat right now, you’re trying to figure out. You’re trying to mitigate.”
Sánchez was activated from the 10-day injured list a week ago and has gone 6-for-14 (.375) since then. Overall, he’s hitting .205 with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
“I like the thought process back there, a couple of wild throws in Tampa,” Mansolino said. “I love the arm strength, so the ball’s coming out hot, so it’s a threat as a base-stealer. You’ve got to think about that a little bit. It’s a guy who’s swung the bat well over an extended periods in the big league in his career.”
Handley was with the Orioles when Sánchez was on the IL with an elbow injury. He was 3-for-40 (.075) with three RBIs.
For the moment, it appears that the Orioles will let their top prospect, 20-yer-old Samuel Basallo, continue to play at Triple-A Norfolk. Basallo is hitting .266 with 14 home runs and 31 RBIs for the Tides. He’s caught 15 games and thrown out three of 16 runners attempting to steal (16 percent).
“We haven’t talked about it to make it perfectly clear,” Mansolino said. “From my viewpoint, as a development guy, what I would love to see is him to absolutely knock the door down. I don’t think you bring a guy like Samuel Basallo and bring him to the major leagues just because there’s a need.”
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