Adley, Beavers activated as Orioles DFA Huff, option Jackson
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BALTIMORE -- The Orioles got a pair of key position-player reinforcements on Sunday morning. However, the transactions came along with a pair of moves that were a bit surprising.
Baltimore reinstated catcher Adley Rutschman (concussion) and outfielder Dylan Beavers (oblique) from the injured list prior to the series finale vs. Washington at Camden Yards. To make room for those two on the active roster, the O’s optioned infielder/outfielder Jeremiah Jackson to Triple-A Norfolk and designated catcher Sam Huff for assignment.
Beavers went on the 10-day IL on May 13 (retroactive to May 11) with a right oblique strain. The 24-year-old played six games during his rehab assignment (three at Triple-A, three at Double-A Chesapeake) and gives the Orioles another left-handed-hitting outfield option.
Through 33 games, Beavers has hit .243 with seven doubles, two home runs, 12 RBIs and a .700 OPS in his first full MLB season.
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Rutschman’s absence was not as long. The 28-year-old catcher was hit in the head by an errant throw on June 18 in Seattle and went on the 7-day concussion IL two days later. The two-time All-Star is hitting .254 with 15 doubles, one triple, eight homers, 40 RBIs and a .787 OPS in 54 games this season.
Because Baltimore wanted to carry three catchers on its 26-man roster -- Rutschman, rookie Samuel Basallo and Chadwick Tromp -- there was no longer room for Jackson. The 26-year-old had been on the O’s roster all season, hitting .251 with eight doubles, seven homers, 32 RBIs and a .664 OPS in 66 games.
It was also a bit unexpected for the Orioles to keep Tromp over Huff, who had been the team’s third catcher before Rutschman was sidelined. The 28-year-old Huff only went 4-for-23 (.174) in nine games, but he had been praised for his defense and work with the pitching staff.
Tromp made his first appearance with Baltimore this season in Saturday’s 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Nationals. The 31-year-old started and went 2-for-3 with two singles, an RBI and a run scored.