BOSTON -- Adley Rutschman has hit the injured list for the third time this season -- and right as the Orioles were preparing for one of their biggest series of the year thus far.
The 28-year-old catcher was placed on the 10-day IL due to left wrist inflammation ahead of Monday night's series opener in Boston, where the Red Sox (winners of 13 in a row) and the O's (seven straight wins) began a three-game set. Rutschman previously missed time due to left ankle inflammation (April 11-21) and a concussion (June 19-28).
Baltimore selected the contract of catcher Chadwick Tromp to fill Rutschman's spot on the 26-man active roster. Outfielder Rudy Martin Jr. was designated for assignment to create an opening on the 40-man roster for Tromp.
The O’s continue to carry three catchers, as Tromp joined Samuel Basallo (who exited Sunday’s 5-2 win in Houston with right shoulder discomfort) and Sam Huff (who started Monday in Boston). For now, Basallo has avoided the IL, but manager Craig Albernaz said it's a "day-to-day thing" for the 21-year-old rookie.
"He's dealing with it, maintaining it," Albernaz said. "He's feeling a little bit better today, so we're just very hopeful with him and we're going to support him and make sure that he gets the treatment he needs and kind of see where we're at each day."
Rutschman, a three-time All-Star, was the Orioles’ lone representative at the Midsummer Classic this season. The Oregon State product has hit .251 with 19 doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 47 RBIs and a .764 OPS in 67 games while also playing elite defense behind the plate.
But Rutschman's strong campaign will again be paused. It's the fifth time he's been placed on the IL during his five-year MLB career, all having occurred since June 2025.
"It's been bothering him, dealing with it, and we're at the point where we get ahead of it and IL him," Albernaz said. "Do the best course of action to get him back at full ability. Anyone that's played the catching position before, the left wrist takes a beating. That's your glove hand, and also, him being a switch-hitter, especially hitting right-handed with that left arm, that left wrist is always on the bat, so it takes an extra pounding."
Tromp was previously on Baltimore's roster from June 22-July 3. The 31-year-old played in only one game during that span, though, going 2-for-3 with an RBI in a 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Nationals on June 27.