TORONTO -- Adley Rutschman's weekend in Worcester, where he played two Minor League rehab games with Boston's Triple-A affiliate, was apparently enough.
The Red Sox’s prized acquisition at the Trade Deadline will be activated on Tuesday, interim manager Chad Tracy said after Boston's 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays on Monday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The switch-hitting catcher is coming back from left wrist inflammation.
In his first action of any kind since July 18, Rutschman looked comfortable on Saturday, belting a two-run double, walking twice and throwing out an attempted basestealer.
He served as the designated hitter on Sunday, going 0-for-3.
Rutschman flew with the team to Toronto on Sunday night. On Monday, he worked out before the series opener, catching a side session and taking batting practice.
“I think seeing live pitching, catching guys, making sure the wrist is feeling good and holding up with that workload,” Rutschman said of what he wanted to feel before a return. “It’s making sure you’re good in all aspects. Seeing how I recover from games, from catching, from hitting. Getting some right-handed and left-handed at-bats.”
The Red Sox went all in on Rutschman at the Trade Deadline, sending the Orioles three of their top five prospects as rated by MLB Pipeline at the time of the deal in righty starters Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon and outfielder Enddy Azocar. The Red Sox also added catcher Carlos Narváez in the trade, while Baltimore sent veteran catcher Jake Rogers to Boston.
It remains to be seen if the Sox will hang on to Rogers once they activate Rutschman. Connor Wong is a solid backup, and many of Boston’s pitchers are comfortable working with him.
But the big news for the Red Sox will be getting Rutschman into the lineup and behind the plate.
The addition is a welcome sight for Tracy, especially given the Red Sox are still without Roman Anthony (partially torn tendon in right ring finger), Trevor Story (sports hernia) and Curtis Mead (left wrist fracture).
“Any time you’re going to add a middle-of-the-order bat into what you’re already doing, that’s exciting for our team,” Tracy said pregame on Monday. “He’s excited. Another quality bat will be helpful.”
Tracy’s job now is to strike the right balance between easing Rutschman back into his playing time to maintain long-term health and doing what’s best for the lineup as the team continues its push for a postseason berth.
“I wouldn’t expect to see him back there three days in a row right out of the chute,” Tracy said. “He hasn’t been down long, so I don’t feel like his legs are completely out of shape, but it may be asking too much to fire it back for three days in a row. That’s probably a little much.”
During his brief time in a Red Sox uniform, Rutschman has been busy getting acclimated to his new surroundings in anticipation for his debut.
Fortunately, being dealt to an American League East rival has its benefits in that regard, he said.
“You’re playing them a lot more,” Rutschman said. “It feels familiar with the pitching staff, the guys, being behind the plate. There definitely is some familiarity.”