Orioles Place All-Star Catcher Adley Rutschman on IL, Call Up Maverick Handley

The Baltimore Orioles have placed All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman on the 10-day injured list with left ankle inflammation, according to The Baltimore Banner. The team announced the move alongside the selection of catcher Maverick Handley from Double-A and the designation of right-hander Chayce McDermott for assignment.

Rutschman was scratched from the starting lineup earlier in the day, and while the exact cause of his injury is unclear, the Orioles have decided to give him at least 10 days to recover. The 25-year-old has been a bright spot for the team this season, batting .294/.385/.471 with a 154 wRC+ in 39 plate appearances. His .357 batting average on balls in play suggests he’s been aided by some good fortune, but he has also seen improvements in exit velocity and hard-hit rate.

Defensively, Rutschman remains a valuable presence behind the plate, even if his performance has dipped slightly in recent seasons. Last year, he ranked in the 76th percentile in pitch framing and the 61st percentile in pop time and blocking, per Statcast. He had already contributed two framing runs in 81 1/3 defensive innings this season.

The move is the latest in a troubling trend of injuries for the Orioles. Key offensive contributors Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg are already on the IL, with Holliday recovering from right hamate surgery and Westburg sidelined by a right hamstring strain. On the pitching side, Zach Eflin underwent Tommy John surgery this week and is out for the year, while Andrew Kittredge, Keegan Akin, and Colin Selby have also been sidelined.

With Rutschman out, the catching duties will fall to Samuel Basallo and Handley. Basallo, the Orioles’ No. 13 prospect last year, has struggled at the plate in the majors, posting a 54 wRC+ in 156 plate appearances. However, he has been impressive at Triple-A with a .270/.377/.589 line and a 151 wRC+.

Handley, 28, brings a patient approach but has yet to show consistent power at the Triple-A level. He has a career .367 slugging percentage and .109 ISO since 2023. Defensively, he has caught 27% of would-be base stealers at the Triple-A level.

As for McDermott, the 27-year-old right-hander will be exposed to waivers after posting a 15.58 ERA in four appearances last season. With one option year remaining, he could be sent outright to Triple-A if unclaimed.

The Orioles will look to right the ship as they aim to climb out of last place in the AL East. They take on the New York Yankees in the first of a three-game series on Friday night.