The Baltimore Orioles are going to have to keep their winning streak alive without one of their absolute best players, because All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman is officially headed to the injured list. The team announced Monday afternoon that Rutschman is sidelined with inflammation in his left wrist, and that is a gut punch no squad wants to deal with right now.
Third Trip To The IL This Season? This One Stings.
Listen, losing Rutschman is a massive obstacle. He's an All-Star, hands down one of their top guys, and the Orioles have been on a hot streak lately, showing real improvement over their last seven games. Having to try and continue that momentum without him? That’s going to be a brutal test. This whole situation just totally stinks.
What makes it even tougher is this isn't Rutschman's first rodeo with the IL this season. Nope. This is his third trip! He’s already dealt with an ankle injury and a concussion earlier in the year. The good news is he hasn’t missed a ton of extended time on those previous stints, so everyone's hoping for a quick return this time too. Still, three trips in one season? That's a lot of recovery, and as of now, the team hasn’t given us any kind of update on a timetable for when we can expect him back.
The Catching Carousel Is Spinnin'
So, with Rutschman out, the Orioles are juggling the catching situation big time. They've called up Chadwick Tromp, selecting his contract from Norfolk to fill that roster spot. But wait, there's more. Outfielder Rudy Martin got designated for assignment just to clear a space on the 40-man roster. This whole thing feels like a whirlwind!
And if you thought losing Rutschman was bad, get this: Samuel Basallo, another catcher, left Sunday's game early because of shoulder discomfort. The vibe is pretty strong that Basallo won’t be able to play today, at least. We'll have to see if they stick with the "day-to-day" tag or if he ends up on the IL too. Seriously, missing both Rutschman and Basallo? That would be exponentially rougher for this team. Good thing Sam Huff was already brought into the mix yesterday.
Quick note on Rudy Martin, the guy who just got the boot: if you remembered he was even on the 40-man roster, you’re a true sicko, respect. The Orioles just picked up the 30-year-old Martin from the Royals for cash considerations last Friday. Dude never even made it to the majors after he pulled the "call me up or trade me" card in his minor league deal. Bet he's wishing another team traded for him now. We'll find out if he clears waivers in a few days.
This team is facing a serious challenge trying to keep their winning ways going without their All-Star backstop. Everyone's eyes are on those injury updates and what happens next for the Orioles as they try to navigate this new obstacle.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.