The Baltimore Orioles faced a significant setback as star catcher Adley Rutschman was placed on the injured list due to a mild left oblique strain, announced on Sunday. The injury occurred during batting practice on Friday, causing the right side of his body to flare up, according to interim manager Tony Mansolino. This setback comes just as Rutschman appeared to regain his form following a difficult start to the 2025 season. He is expected to miss at least one month, including the upcoming All-Star break, depriving the Orioles of his key presence during a critical stretch of the season.

Rutschman’s Performance and Importance to Orioles

This injury marks the first time Rutschman has been placed on the injured list in his career. His season began rocky but showed steady improvement before this latest interruption. Through May 20, Rutschman posted a wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) of 84, which climbed to 129 over the subsequent 23 games. His earlier struggles last season followed a foul ball to his right hand in June 2024, but both he and the team rejected any direct correlation between that injury and his decline in performance. Despite the challenges this season, Rutschman ranks third among Orioles position players with a 0.7 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) since May 20. The team’s current record of 10 games below .500 and a dwindling 4.4% chance to make the playoffs underscores the magnitude of his absence.

Mansolino’s Perspective: Balancing Winning and Development

Despite the team’s struggles and Rutschman’s injury, Mansolino expressed determination not to shift fully into development mode this season. He emphasized the Orioles’ commitment to winning for Baltimore and its fans, even amid adversity. Mansolino said,

“We’re trying to win, and we’re trying to develop,”

and added,

“I think, if we went full-blown development right here in June, when that third Wild Card spot is floating around .500, I don’t know if that’s the right decision for the Baltimore Orioles and the city of Baltimore and the fans.”

Orioles’ Catching Depth Worsens Amid Rutschman’s Absence

With Rutschman sidelined, the Orioles face significant challenges at the catcher position. The team’s catching unit has contributed just 0.3 WAR this season, ranking 26th across Major League Baseball. While Rutschman has added 1.1 WAR, the combined negative performances of backups Gary Sánchez and Maverick Handley have nearly offset his value. Sánchez, returning from a wrist injury 10 days ago, fluctuates wildly between slumps and hot streaks, displaying a 196 wRC+ after the injury but a poor -6 wRC+ before it. Handley, a 27-year-old and former top prospect from 2022, has struggled immensely. Over 16 games, Handley has a staggering wRC+ of -42, with only three hits and an alarming strikeout rate over 38%.

Promising Catching Prospect Samuel Basallo Remains in Triple-A

Despite the catching issues in Baltimore, the most highly regarded prospect, Samuel Basallo, remains at Triple-A Norfolk. Basallo, 20 years old, is currently the top-ranked catching prospect in baseball and leads the Orioles minor league system. He ranks fifth on The Board and recently topped the Orioles prospect list. Though Basallo is putting up strong numbers—including a 152 wRC+ with 15 home runs at Triple-A—the team has not yet discussed promoting him to the majors. Mansolino explained the cautious approach, stating,

“I don’t think you take a guy like Sammy Basallo and you bring him to the big leagues just because there’s a need,”

and,

“I think you bring a Sammy Basallo to the big leagues when he’s destroyed Triple-A in all facets of the game — his at-bats, his defense, his 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.”

Lack of Catching Options Forces Orioles to Rely on Underperforming Backups

Since Basallo is not yet ready for the majors by the organization’s estimation, Handley remains the primary backup option for Baltimore’s catching position for at least the next month. This situation leaves the Orioles with a pressing need to consider acquiring an affordable veteran catcher, ideally someone familiar with the team and pitching staff. Though such a move may seem beyond reach, the Orioles’ catching struggles call for a pragmatic solution.

James McCann’s Release by Braves and Signing with Diamondbacks

Over the weekend, veteran catcher James McCann was released by the Atlanta Braves from his minor league contract. McCann, who served as a reliable backup for the Orioles during the previous two seasons, reportedly sought a multi-year contract in the offseason, but Baltimore chose not to commit due to the presence of Rutschman and Basallo. Instead, McCann signed a minor league deal with the Braves, which included a rolling opt-out clause. This provision would allow other teams to sign him to a major league deal if interested.

Shortly after his release, McCann signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His availability and experience could have been a valuable asset for Baltimore this season. McCann has maintained a career wRC+ of 82 and while his defensive metrics were not outstanding last year, his two years of playing alongside Baltimore’s pitching staff provide him unique value. He produced a 125 wRC+ in the minors this year, and boasts a positive WAR in every season since 2019. Baltimore’s reluctance or inability to bring him back represents a missed opportunity to improve their catching depth.

It remains unclear if the Orioles tried to re-sign McCann, but financial considerations seem unlikely to be the reason he joined Arizona as he will earn only the major league minimum there. This situation might reflect Baltimore’s acceptance of a disappointing 2025 season, a view shared by analysts such as Dan Szymborski.

Diamondbacks Suffer Additional Injury Setbacks Including Star Catcher Gabriel Moreno

The injury troubles extend beyond Baltimore, as the Arizona Diamondbacks are also dealing with critical absences. On Friday, relief pitcher A.J. Puk underwent internal brace surgery. More recently, star outfielder Corbin Carroll was diagnosed with a chip fracture in his left wrist after being hit by a pitch and has been placed on the injured list, sidelining him indefinitely.

In the catching department, Gabriel Moreno was placed on the injured list retroactive to June 15, initially reported as a right hand contusion, but later revealed to be a hairline fracture of his right index finger stemming from a wild pitch on June 6. The team had attempted to avoid placing Moreno on the injured list by limiting his playtime over the next two weeks, during which he hit a home run but clearly was not at full strength.

Moreno’s Injury Deals Major Blow to Diamondbacks’ Playoff Hopes

Moreno’s injury severely hampers a Diamondbacks team that is already trailing in a competitive National League West. Despite a 31.9% chance of making the playoffs, losing both Moreno and Carroll jeopardizes their postseason odds. Key players such as Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo, Eugenio Suárez, and Pavin Smith have been performing at star levels, but the team’s pitching staff remains a weak point. Moreno’s return timeline remains uncertain, with manager Torey Lovullo indicating the injury will keep him out for weeks rather than days, a grim prognosis for Arizona’s playoff ambitions.

Moreno has been on an upward trajectory this season. After posting 0.8 WAR in 25 rookie games with Toronto in 2022, he delivered a strong 2.3 WAR campaign in 2023 despite missing time with shoulder inflammation. Last year, Moreno reached 2.5 WAR over 98 games despite two stints on the injured list. Known for consistent offensive production and excellent defense, Moreno was on pace to exceed three WAR in 2025 before the injury curtailed his season. He also increased his hard-hit rate significantly from 41% in 2024 to 47.2% this year, while maintaining a wRC+ of 105.

Backup Catchers Face Their Own Obstacles in Arizona

Backup catcher José Herrera has shown some improvement offensively, with a 68 wRC+ over 33 games, but his defensive metrics have declined. The Diamondbacks might consider promoting top catching prospect Adrian Del Castillo, who impressed in 2024 with significant power numbers, including 26 home runs and a 136 wRC+ at Triple-A Reno. Del Castillo also managed an impressive 146 wRC+ during a brief major league stint last year, though his strikeout rate was high.

Unfortunately, injuries have hampered Del Castillo’s 2025 campaign. He missed the first two months due to a shoulder injury and has recently suffered a back injury that has sidelined him since June 15. After playing just 17 games this year, the organization appears hesitant to promote him to the majors under these conditions.

James McCann Joins Diamondbacks: Role Still Undefined

To fill the catching void, Arizona briefly called up 32-year-old Aramis Garcia, who performed well in Triple-A but appeared in only two major league games before being designated for assignment. McCann subsequently signed with the Diamondbacks and has been proactive in familiarizing himself with the team, reaching out to former Oriole teammate Corbin Burnes.

McCann commented,

“I’m the new guy trying to get on their page, and that’s what I’m going to try to do as quickly as possible,”

reflecting his intent to integrate quickly. Manager Torey Lovullo has not yet defined McCann’s role. Considering Herrera’s underwhelming defense and modest hitting, McCann may earn significant playing time if he sustains the hot hitting he demonstrated in the minors with Gwinnett.

Diamondbacks’ Catching Situation Remains Fragile Amid Injuries

While McCann’s presence offers some optimism, there is no guarantee he will thrive. Still, the Diamondbacks are making concerted efforts to prevent the catcher position from becoming a major liability. Aiming for league-average performance from McCann and Herrera might be the most realistic expectation for the remainder of the season. Finding a dependable veteran catcher represents a critical step as Arizona prepares for the season’s second half amidst mounting injuries and competitive pressure.