Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Viewed as top catcher over Basallo
Rotowire
Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said Monday that Rutschman remains "front and center" as the organization's top catcher, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Though Baltimore signed Samuel Basallo to a $67 million extension in August, the 21-year-old is regarded as a bat-first prospect who won't yet be entrusted to handle a full-time catching role in the big leagues. Basallo instead projects to see most of his reps at first base and designated hitter in 2026 while occasionally mixing in behind the plate, so long as Rutschman maintains health. When available this past season, Rutschman continued to provide value defensively, but his offensive production continued its downward trend from his 2022 rookie campaign. Over 365 plate appearances in 2025, Rutschman turned in a .673 OPS and supplied underwhelming counting statistics (nine home runs, zero steals, 37 runs and 29 RBI) in his 90 games. Set to turn 28 in February, Rutschman still has time to regain his prior form at the plate, but investing in him in 2026 fantasy drafts may require some blind faith on the part of fantasy managers.
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Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Out of lineup
Rotowire
Rutschman isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.
Rutschman has gone just 1-for-11 in four games since returning from the injured list, and he'll now receive a day off while Samuel Basallo starts behind the plate and bats eighth.
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Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Not starting Thursday
Rotowire
Rutschman is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Rays.
Rutschman started at catcher in each of the first two games of the series, but he'll get a breather during Thursday's matinee. Alex Jackson is behind the dish and batting eighth for the Orioles.
Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Reinstated from injured list
Rotowire
The Orioles activated Rutschman (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Monday.
Rutschman has missed the last month-plus with a right oblique strain but will rejoin the Orioles' active roster for the final week of the regular season. He and Samuel Basallo should share catching duties in the final week, with both players also likely to see action action at designated hitter. Basallo could play some first base, as well.
Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Cleared for rehab assignment
Rotowire
Rutschman (oblique) will start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Rutschman has been working through a mild right oblique strain since mid-August. He participated in batting practice over the weekend, and the 27-year-old catcher has progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment. Per Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun, Rutschman is expected to be with Norfolk for about a week before being activated from the 10-day IL.
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Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Closing in on rehab assignment
Rotowire
Rutschman (oblique) is likely to start a rehab assignment at some point this week, MLB.com reports.
Rutschman took batting practice Friday and Saturday amid his recovery from a strained oblique, putting him on track to return to game action in the minor leagues in the imminent future. It's unclear how many at-bats the Orioles will want Rutschman to pick up in the minors before rejoining the major-league roster, but he still has a chance to be activated from the injured list before the end of the season.
Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Slated for BP this weekend
Rotowire
Rutschman (oblique) will take batting practice this weekend, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Rutschman began hitting off a tee this past Friday and will take another big step forward with his hitting progression this weekend. It's not clear whether the Orioles will ask him to go out on a rehab assignment, but either way he would seem to have a good shot to be activated from the 10-day injured list at some point next week. Rutschman has been shelved since mid-August with a right oblique strain.
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