NEW YORK -- Injuries have been a major storyline of the Orioles’ 2025 season, and prior to Friday night’s series opener at Yankee Stadium, another new ailment popped up.
Adley Rutschman was scratched from Baltimore’s lineup shortly before first pitch due to left abdominal tightness. The 27-year-old catcher was originally slated to start at designated hitter against New York left-hander Max Fried, but he was replaced by Jackson Holliday.
It’s not yet known when Rutschman began to feel soreness, but more information should be coming following the game.
The Orioles have had 20 players spend time on the injured list this year. Rutschman is not one of them, although he missed two games last month after getting hit in the head by a foul tip off the bat of Rafael Devers on May 25 at Fenway Park.
Through 68 games, Rutschman is hitting .227 with nine doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 20 RBIs and a .691 OPS. But the two-time American League All-Star has been heating up this month, hitting .309 with two doubles, three homers, five RBIs and an .890 OPS in 15 June games.
Before Rutschman was scratched, Baltimore (32-42) had only one left-handed hitter (Colton Cowser) in its lineup vs. Fried, who entered with a 1.89 ERA over 15 starts. Even with the addition of Holliday, the O’s lineup was right-handed-heavy against the southpaw.
Former Yankee Gary Sánchez started at catcher for the opener in the Bronx. If Rutschman were to miss extended time, the Orioles would likely recall Maverick Handley, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk when Sánchez returned from the IL last Saturday after missing more than a month due to right wrist inflammation.