By: @OOSSports
Adley Rutschman appears ready to finally take the field for the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox plan to have their prized trade deadline acquisition make his Red Sox debut Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, barring a late setback. Rutschman worked with scheduled starter Patrick Sandoval in the bullpen Monday as he prepared to catch his first game for his new club.
The debut will end a layoff that has kept Rutschman out of major-league action since July 18 because of left wrist inflammation.
“For me, it’s just excitement,” Rutschman said before Monday’s 2-1 loss to Toronto, via MassLive. “I miss playing. I want to be out there. To be able to go out and play baseball is such a blessing. You realize that when you’re on the IL and not able to play.”
Adley Rutschman ready to begin new chapter with Red Sox
Boston made one of the deadline’s most fascinating moves by acquiring Rutschman from the division-rival Baltimore Orioles.
The Red Sox sent catcher Carlos Narváez, highly regarded pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson, outfielder Enddy Azocar, pitcher Kyson Witherspoon, and a player to be named later to Baltimore.
Rutschman arrives with a .215 batting average, eight home runs, and 47 RBI this season. Those numbers represent a disappointing offensive campaign by his standards, but Boston acquired the former No. 1 overall pick with the expectation that he can make an impact down the stretch and beyond.
Before joining the major-league club, Rutschman tested his wrist during a rehab assignment with Boston’s Triple-A affiliate over the weekend. He caught five innings and faced live pitching as he worked toward clearance.
“I’m feeling really good right now,” Rutschman said. “Just seeing live pitching, for the most part, and catching guys, making sure the wrist is feeling good, holding up with that workload and seeing pitches.”
Red Sox add Rutschman for crucial stretch run
Rutschman’s arrival comes as Boston attempts to convert its summer surge into a postseason berth.
The Red Sox enter Tuesday at 64-54 and sit third in the AL East. Although Boston has dropped three consecutive games, that skid immediately followed a nine-game winning streak that helped transform its position in the playoff race.
Now Rutschman gives the lineup another potential difference-maker for the stretch run.
His first assignment should come against a familiar AL East opponent in Toronto, but nearly everything else will feel different. Rutschman spent his entire major-league career with Baltimore before the deadline deal sent him elsewhere within the division.
The veteran catcher already likes what he has seen from his new clubhouse.
“This team’s rolling,” Rutschman said. “This locker room, the guys are really tight.
“You can tell. I’m just excited to be part of it.”
After weeks away from the field and a deadline trade that changed the direction of his career, Rutschman finally appears ready to become part of Boston’s postseason push.
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