08/03/26 02:58:00
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08/03 14:57 CDT Red Sox get All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from AL East rival
Orioles, AP source says
Red Sox get All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from AL East rival Orioles, AP
source says
By NOAH TRISTER
AP Baseball Writer
The Boston Red Sox are acquiring All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman from the
Baltimore Orioles, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday
because deadline deal hadn't been announced. The 28-year-old Rutschman is
hitting .251 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs this season. He earned an
All-Star nod for the third time but is currently on the injured list with left
wrist inflammation. He's also dealt with an ankle injury and a concussion this
year.
If he can return to the field soon, Rutschman is a significant addition for a
Boston team that stormed back into the postseason picture with a 15-game
winning streak last month. The Red Sox needed catching help, and their offense
is also dealing with injuries to Triston Casas, Trevor Story, Roman Anthony and
even the recently acquired Curtis Mead.
The Orioles drafted Rutschman with the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, but unlike
Bobby Witt Jr., the second pick that year, he hasn't signed a long-term
contract. Rutschman can become a free agent after next season.
Trading him to an AL East rival is a bitter pill for some Baltimore fans. In
many ways, he represented both the success and failure of the past few years
for the Orioles. He made his debut in 2022 and the team took off, finishing
with a winning record that year and then storming to a 101-win campaign in 2023.
Baltimore made the playoffs in 2024, but Rutschman slumped down the stretch and
was unable to rebound in 2025, when the Orioles collapsed to a last-place
finish. He's been better this year but has played in only 67 games. Baltimore
is 54-58 and entered Monday 2 1/2 games behind the final playoff spot in the
American League.
Samuel Basallo, who has 16 homers this season, now becomes Baltimore's clear
No. 1 catcher. However, the 21-year-old Basallo is currently on the injured
list as well.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
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