Adley Rutschman is in the process of adapting to a new team after being traded for the first time in his career. He joined the Boston Red Sox on the injured list with left wrist inflammation, a period he intends to use to connect with his new teammates, particularly the pitching staff. Rutschman was acquired by the Red Sox just before the trade deadline.
Boston interim manager Chad Tracy indicated that Rutschman would consult with the team's medical staff to outline the next steps in his rehabilitation and determine a potential return date. Tracy also noted that Rutschman has already resumed swinging a bat, and the team is hopeful for his return to the lineup in the near future. However, the Red Sox are not planning to rush the recovery of a player who was a significant acquisition, costing them several top prospects.
Rutschman, who has been on the injured list since July 20, expressed his uncertainty regarding the specific timeline for his return. "I don’t exactly know just what kind of timeline and how all that goes," he said.
During his time with the Baltimore Orioles, Rutschman spent his first four-plus seasons. The Orioles were 12 games behind in the AL East and contending for a wild card spot entering Tuesday night. Rutschman now joins the Red Sox, who were 5 1/2 games out of the division lead and in a wild card position after winning 23 of their last 26 games. The Orioles had previously ended Boston's franchise-record-tying 15-game winning streak last month. For Baltimore, making the playoffs without Rutschman, the top overall pick in the 2019 draft, appeared less likely.
Rutschman acknowledged the difficulty of leaving the Orioles, citing the "unbelievable memories" and "great friends for life" he made during his tenure. "It’s tough goodbyes. But we’re on to the next thing. And excited to be here and playing. It’s all part of the game," he stated.
He plans to use his time on the injured list to familiarize himself with the Red Sox pitchers, though he noted some existing familiarity. "I’ve seen a lot of these guys pitch and faced them. I kind of understand how they attack guys but I’m definitely going to have some more in-depth conversations, just make sure that we’re on the same page and it flows smoothly when we get out there."
Tracy emphasized the significance of Rutschman's addition to the team. "I think it’s a strong statement to the group with a player like that," Tracy said. "We went out and got a huge addition to our lineup and behind the plate. So it means a lot. We’ll work through getting him healthy and getting him out there. But his history speaks for itself and who he is as a catcher and as an offensive player. So it’s a big add for us."