O's catching carousel continues as Tromp lands on IL

ARLINGTON -- The Orioles' catching depth is being put to the test in a fashion that hasn’t been seen since the 2007 season.

Hours before the Orioles fell 10-2 to the Rangers on Tuesday at Globe Life Field, they placed their third catcher on the injured list in the last 10 days. Chadwick Tromp went on the 10-day IL with a lower back strain that flared up in Monday’s 10-6 victory over the Rangers in 11 innings at Globe Life Field. Tromp joins fellow catchers Adley Rutschman (oblique) and Maverick Handley (concussion) on the IL.

“Highly unusual," interim manager Tony Mansolino said of the catching situation. "I don’t think there’s an answer. It seems like the more you search for answers, the more problems arise."

Gary Sánchez started at catcher for Baltimore on Tuesday, producing the team’s only runs with a home run off Jacob deGrom in the fourth inning. It followed an impressive series opener Monday when he had two hits and three RBIs.

But, as things have gone for the catching position, Sánchez was to undergo precautionary X-rays after Tuesday’s game, following taking a ball off the finger in the eighth inning.

“He was kind of messing around with it [the finger], we’ll probably go get some X-rays to make sure that he’s OK,” Mansolino said. “The concern level is real low right now.”

Along with Sánchez, the O’s brought in another veteran catcher by selecting Jacob Stallings' contract. Stallings joined the organization on a Minor League deal on June 24. When he plays the field, Stallings -- who entered as a pinch-hitter in the ninth Tuesday and struck out -- will become the fifth catcher used by the Orioles this season.

Stallings recalled being the sixth catcher used by the Pirates when he made his Major League debut in 2016, the only situation he can recall being similar to what the Orioles have faced this season.

“I wish I was here under different circumstances. I really enjoy watching Tromp from across the field, played [against] him when he was in Atlanta,” Stallings said. “I’ve always thought he does a really good job behind the plate, so never want injuries, but I'm just going here to help the team as much as I can for as long as they want me and as long as I can.”

Baltimore hasn’t needed five catchers to get through a regular season since 2007, let alone the first half of a season. For comparison, the Orioles needed just two catchers to get through the ‘24 season, with Rutschman and James McCann carrying the load.

In 2007, the O’s catching corps included Paul Bako, Alberto Castillo, Ramon Hernandez, J.R. House and Gustavo Molina.

This season, a rash of injuries have forced the Orioles’ hand. Rutschman landed on the IL on June 21 (retroactive to June 20), and a couple of days later, Handley collided with the Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a play at the plate. Rutschman is expected to return shortly after the All-Star break while Handley’s timeline remains to be seen with the team taking a cautious approach.

The latest setback came during Monday night’s game when Tromp exited with lower back tightness in the third inning. That forced Mansolino to lose the designated hitter as Sánchez was in the DH role and the only option to replace Tromp behind the plate.

It worked out for that one game as the Orioles navigated their way to a victory, but it wasn’t ideal.

Stallings, who won a Gold Glove in 2021 with Pittsburgh, brings plenty of experience. He’s in his 10th season and has thrown out 20.9% of potential basestealers, while owning a .992 fielding percentage over his career.

Stallings said he prides himself as a defense-first catcher.

“That’s the most important part of the job to me,” he said. “Obviously, I’d love to hit .400 and hit a bunch of home runs, but taking care of the pitchers is priority one.”

Stallings, 35, was with the Rockies earlier this season. He struggled at the plate with a .143 average over 28 games with Colorado before being released. For his career, he has a .234 average to go with 33 home runs and 190 RBIs.

Since joining the O’s organization, Stallings has played three games with Triple-A Norfolk, going 4-for-10 at the plate.

The other catchers on Norfolk’s roster include Samuel Basallo, the O’s No. 1 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 11 overall, and David Banuelos, who made one plate appearance for the Orioles last season.

For now, though, the team is ready to roll with Sánchez and Stallings until others return from the IL.

Asked if the consistent injuries are becoming a concern, third baseman Ramón Urías said: “Not really. It’s baseball. We wish everybody stayed healthy, but it’s baseball. Everything can change quickly. Hopefully, we stay as healthy as we can.”