Adley Rutschman to start rehab assignment this weekend

The Boston Red Sox’ prized trade deadline acquisition could be joining the big-league club soon.

Catcher Adley Rutschman, whom Boston plucked from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday in exchange for three prospects and fellow backstop Carlos Narvaez, will begin a rehab assignment Saturday with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox as he recovers from left wrist inflammation. Baltimore had placed him on the 10-day injured list on July 20 retroactive to July 19.

Rutschman last appeared in a game on July 18.

Interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters before Friday’s game against the Athletics there was a possibility Rutschman could join one of the Red Sox’ minor league squads for a rehab assignment this weekend.

After the game, Tracy confirmed Rutschman will join the WooSox for Saturday’s contest. He expects the switch-hitter to catch five innings and get two or three at-bats.

Tracy said he isn’t quite sure when Rutschman will be able to join the big-league team.

“I have no idea (if he’ll be able to play for Boston on Monday),” Tracy told reporters after Friday’s 13-1 win. “Being that it’s five innings right now, maybe not. But we’ll talk through. It’s his first game back and he’s catching five innings, so I’m sure they’re gonna want to build him up a little bit. I’m not gonna put the cart before the horse. Let’s just see him get through that one.”

After meeting with a hand specialist in Boston following the trade, Rutschman was cleared to ramp up baseball activities in preparation for a rehab assignment.

At the time of his injury, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Rutschman’s ailment popped up simply because of the position he plays behind the plate.

“Anyone that’s played the catching position before, the left wrist takes a beating,” Albernaz said (via MLB.com’s Jake Rill). “That’s your glove hand, and also, him being a switch-hitter, especially hitting right-handed with that left arm, that left wrist is always on the bat, so it takes an extra pounding.”

Rutschman, a former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2019, had been playing well for Baltimore before landing on the injured list. The 28-year-old is slashing .251/.331/.433 with a .764 OPS in his fifth MLB season. He’s hit 19 home runs, driven in 47 runs, scored 30 times, and drawn 30 walks in 67 games.

At catcher, Rutschman remains above-average defensively. He’s committed six errors through 434.2 innings behind the plate (.985 fielding percentage), though, tied for the most misplays in a single season in his career since 2023.

Rutschman was the Orioles’ lone All-Star Game representative in 2026 despite missing playing time at times due to injuries other than his current wrist issue. He missed a week and a half in April due to left ankle inflammation, and found himself on the I.L. again in June for a week due to a concussion.

The three-time All-Star and 2023 Silver Slugger winner’s bat and defense would be a welcome addition to this version of the Red Sox, who are 31-5 since June 25 and are firmly in the American League’s second wild-card spot. Connor Wong has been better this year offensively and defensively compared to the past, but Rutschman is one of the best in the game. Wong would be a serviceable full-time backup to Rutschman.

Boston had played just fine with Wong and Narvaez, the latter of whom had seen serious regression offensively this season. The club won 15 straight games and won eight straight entering Friday with their former catching situation.

But the addition of a player of Rutschman’s caliber was a sign chief baseball officer Craig Breslow believed in his team at the trade deadline. The team and its fans deserved a big add, especially a big-time hitter, and Rutschman fit the bill.

It remains to be seen, but Rutschman has the potential to be a difference-maker for Boston come the playoffs.

Kaley Brown

Sports producer

Kaley Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.