The Baltimore Orioles placed catcher Adley Rutschman on the 10-day injured list on Saturday after he suffered a strained left oblique. This marks the first time in his career that Rutschman has been sidelined with an injury. In response, Baltimore recalled catcher Maverick Handley from Triple-A Norfolk to fill the vacancy on the roster.

Manager Tony Mansolino confirmed on Sunday that Rutschman will miss at least until the All-Star break, leaving significant uncertainty around the Orioles’ lineup and roster decisions during this period.

Struggles and Performance Challenges Mark Rutschman’s 2025 Campaign

Rutschman’s 2025 season has been difficult, with the 27-year-old posting a batting line of .227/.319/.372 and hitting eight home runs across 68 games. This downturn continues a trend since his standout rookie year, highlighting concerns about his long-term trajectory as Baltimore’s franchise catcher. Historically, his OPS+ has declined since his debut, reflecting ongoing struggles at the plate.

Meanwhile, the Orioles are enduring a disappointing start to the season with a 33-42 record, anchoring them in last place in the American League East before the weekend’s games. This combination of team struggles and Rutschman’s free agency status after 2027 has fueled speculation that Baltimore might consider trading their star catcher before the July 31 deadline.

Oblique Injury Creates Trade Deadline Uncertainty for Orioles

The timing of Rutschman’s oblique strain complicates any immediate trade plans, as players with similar injuries typically require about 38 days to recover, according to Baseball Prospectus data. This estimated recovery period aligns closely with the July 31 trade deadline, raising questions over whether Baltimore will be able to maximize Rutschman’s trade value or if they will opt to keep him despite the injury.

Gary Sánchez to Assume Primary Catcher Duties While Rutschman Recovers

In Rutschman’s absence, the Orioles are expected to rely on veteran catcher Gary Sánchez to handle most of the workload behind the plate. Sánchez, 32, has an OPS+ of 83 in 51 plate appearances this season, providing a more experienced, though less potent, option for Baltimore during this transitional period.

Orioles’ Prospect Samuel Basallo Not Immediately Considered for Major League Promotion

Though some have speculated that Baltimore might promote catching prospect Samuel Basallo in response to Rutschman’s injury, Mansolino indicated that the team is not considering rushing him to the majors. Mansolino emphasized their long-term development strategy, stating that Basallo should only be promoted when he has clearly excelled at Triple-A in all aspects of his game.

“We haven’t talked about him, just to make it perfectly clear. But from my point of view, just as a development guy — I’m a long-term development guy, not necessarily this. But as a development guy, what I would love to see is him absolutely knock the door down. I don’t think you take a guy like Samuel Basallo and you bring him to the big leagues just because there’s a need. I think you bring Samuel Basallo to the big leagues when he’s absolutely destroyed Triple-A in all facets of the game — his at-bats, his defense, everything. So, when he destroys Triple-A and he knocks the door down, to me, then he becomes part of the conversation. I don’t personally think you bring a guy to the big leagues with that type of profile until that happens.”

This cautious approach reflects Baltimore’s commitment to ensuring Basallo is truly ready before joining the major league roster.

Samuel Basallo’s Strong Prospect Numbers at Triple-A

Basallo, 20, is currently batting .266/.374/.589 with 15 home runs in 46 Triple-A games this year, demonstrating impressive production despite being younger than most of his International League peers. His strong performance has earned him a ranking as the No. 8 prospect in baseball, according to CBS Sports entering the 2025 season. Yet, even with this success, Baltimore remains patient with his development before considering a major league call-up.

Impact and Outlook for Orioles’ Catching Situation

Adley Rutschman’s placement on the injured list with a strained oblique adds a layer of complexity to Baltimore’s season. As the team trails in the AL East, decisions about their catcher position will influence both their short-term competitiveness and long-term planning. The injury delays any potential trade deadline moves involving Rutschman and places greater responsibility on veteran Gary Sánchez and prospect development.

With the All-Star break approaching, the Orioles must navigate this uncertain period carefully, balancing player health, roster flexibility, and the potential future of their franchise catcher.