For the second time in three months, an oblique strain has sent Adley Rutschman to the injured list. Baltimore placed the switch-hitting catcher on the 10-day IL, retroactive to August 18, due to a right oblique injury. Outfielder Daniel Johnson is up from Triple-A Norfolk to take the vacated roster spot.
Rutschman missed five weeks between mid-June and the end of July with a left oblique strain. He’s now dealing with an injury to the opposite side. Interim skipper Tony Mansolino told reporters (including Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun) that it’s a “mild” strain. That’d seem to give Rutschman a shot to return this season, but even minor oblique strains usually cost a hitter a few weeks.
This has been a career-worst season for the two-time All-Star. Rutschman is batting .227/.310/.373 in 348 plate appearances. It’s his first subpar offensive showing in his four-year career. Last season’s .250/.318/.391 line was only narrowly better than average. Rutschman’s bat has fallen off since his excellent first two seasons.
The declining production comes as top catching prospect Samuel Basallo reaches the big leagues. Baltimore promoted the 21-year-old on Sunday. Basallo has started one game apiece at catcher and designated hitter. The initial plan was for Rutschman and Basallo to split catching work with a decent amount of DH at-bats for the rookie. Basallo will now be the #1 catcher while Rutschman is on the shelf. The youngster’s bat has long been ahead of his glove. A few weeks of regular reps behind the plate won’t entirely wipe away concerns about Basallo’s defense, but it should be a good developmental opportunity.
Baltimore was already operating with three catchers on the active roster. They didn’t want to lose the out-of-options Alex Jackson when they called up Basallo. Jackson will back him up for the time being. That meant they could add an extra outfielder, Johnson, in the corresponding move rather than bringing up another catcher.
The new Matt Wieters.
Did Wieters had so many oblique injuries?
He needs to be traded. They’ll be fine without him. Even when he’s in the lineup they’re playing without him. So why not get someone that can actually help.
That’s an overreaction… but I would love him coming home on my mariners splitting catcher/DH roles with Big King Dumper
He’ll probably either get traded closer to his final years in free agency or he will sign somewhere as a free agent, I would be shocked if the orioles pay him
For what?
Tough to sell him so low. No one is giving up a noteworthy pitcher just b/c he was a former #1 pick.
When it rains, it pours.
Shut him down and have him ready for next season. The lineup could be very strong if these kids all click. I’d suggest more reliability at 1B and let Mounty go or make him a part time player. Pete Alonso if he opts out would be a good get for them. Obviously they’re going nowhere without the arms next year but the lineup is at least something to dream on.
All their spending should be on starting pitchers. Or trade Mayo for one.
Mayo was overhyped-he’s also not bait for a good SP.
Westburg instead of Mayo then?
Westburg solid player, but way too many games missed each year. He wouldn’t headline for a good SP, esp’ly with the service time accrued if they were to try to tempt a bad club that needs upside and cheap longer control (eg. Pirates).
They will have plenty of SP if everyone stays healthy. That is one big IF however. Rogers is shaping up nicely.
*sighs in Bobby Witt*
Been a rough couple of years now for Adley. People were saying he was playing through an injury last season and that was why he looked like two different players between the first and second half of the season last year. Now he’s getting really banged up. I really liked Adley’s game on offense as well as defense. He was one of the only Orioles who wasn’t allergic to walks. Just shut him down and let him get a full rest and recovery period and get him back healthy next year and see what happens. I’d hate for him to fizzle out like this.
Bust
AJ Preller tried hard to get him at the deadline. Looks like it’s going to be a bad decision that BAL didn’t move him somewhere tho. Still early to tell but don’t have a good feeling about him being elite again.
Any source on this?
let him rest, double down and give him an offer on an extension with some PA bonuses. team option out further. time to ink some players and maybe he will accept a good buy not not insane offer. people also wrote Trevor Rogers off, fans are super short sighted in general. not to say that this version of Trevor will repeat for the next couple yrs but time to just ink some guys for more than short term stays. I get not signing volatile relievers but you need some consistency and cornerstones. and the other side of the battery is a good place to start. Samuel can back him up and play 1B/DH as needed it Adley is healthy.
That will end a disappointing 2025 season for Adley. All hail, King Samuel!
Orioles are attempting to set a record for the most players whose first or last name begins with “J”. I think it’s great to have goals!