BALTIMORE—Catcher Adley Rutschman doesn’t know when he’ll return from his strained left oblique injury. Rutschman sustained the injury swinging a bat before the Orioles’ June 20th game at Yankee Stadium.
“Obviously, I wish it was a one-day recovery,” Rutschman said on Wednesday before the Orioles-Mets game was postponed.
“I think trying to do as much as we can right now to get back as fast as possible. Just day-by-day, I guess.”
Interim manager Tony Mansolino suggested that Rutschman would be back after the All-Star break. That’s eight days from now, July 18th.
“Honestly, I have no idea. You’re going to have to ask somebody a little smarter than me on medical stuff,” Rutschman said. “I’m just trying to go day-by-day to do as much as possible to get back as quickly as possible. I don’t really know. I can’t give you exact dates.” ‘
Mansolino said that Rutschman hit off a batting tee on Wednesday.
“The reason that he’s not being specific is we don’t set internal timelines with these guys,” Mansolino said. “I don’t think he’s swinging at 100 percent. There’s no pain. There’s no soreness, but we’ve got to see how he wakes up [on Thursday]. Once these guys get into rehab games is when you start to think more of the timelines.”
Rutschman is trying to be philosophical about his rehab.
“I show up and see what’s on the agenda for the day,” he said. “They don’t give me too much what I’m going to be doing a week from now. I think it’s one of those things where they want to see how I’m feeling and just take it day-by-day. Definitely feels better.
“It’s awful. I want to be out there. Do as much as you can, but you just don’t feel like you’re doing enough. Tough to see how the boys go and compete and kind of feel helpless.”
Rutschman is helping two new catchers, Jacob Stallings and Alex Jackson.
“Having them catch new guys on a nightly basis, having conversations on what to expect, what pitches do they like, and anything unique about each guy,” he said. “Hats off for them to come in here and be able to jump right in and do a great job. They’re both professional. It’s been awesome having them around. They’re great guys. Awesome to talk to get to know and they’re doing a great job.”
Jackson became the sixth catcher used by the Orioles this season. Rutschman, Gary Sánchez, Maverick Handley and Chadwick Tromp are all on the injured list. The six catchers used tie an Orioles club record.
“Really unfortunate. You don’t want to see anyone get injured,” he said. “Especially as many as we’ve had.”
Rutschman joked about being sent a list of the world’s most dangerous jobs.
“Ice road trucking and above it was being a Baltimore Orioles catcher. Not funny,” he said with a smile.
Injury updates on Akin, Eflin, Rodriguez: Left-handed relief pitcher Keegan Akin is on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation.
“I don’t think he’s started throwing yet,” Mansolino said. “He got a shot. There’ll be a five-to-seven-day shutdown, and then he’ll pick up a ball and go from there. My expectation would be after the All-Star break, probably see him at some point. I assume he’ll go on a rehab stint first, but I don’t know the specifics on it yet.”
Starting pitcher Zach Eflin, who’s on the 15-day IL with a lower back strain, is improving.
“I think Sunday, if everything goes right, he’ll go out and make a rehab start, and then we’ll go from there,” Mansolino said.
Grayson Rodriguez, who has yet to pitch this season, has also made progress.
“He got on the mound [on Tuesday]. I think it went OK,” Mansolino said. “He went back out and played catch [Wednesday], felt great, so it’s trending in the right direction. Some ups and downs. Feels like everything’s in line at the moment.”
What’s next? The Orioles and New York Mets will play a split doubleheader to make up for Wednesday night’s rainout. Charlie Morton (5-7, 5.47) will face David Peterson (6-4, 3.18) at 12:05 p.m. Tomoyuki Sugano (6-5, 4.44) will start Game 2 at 5:05 p.m. The Mets have yet to name a starter. Game 1 will be on MASN. Game 2 will be on MASN2.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.