Hyde on Rutschman and Bautista, Gibson on receiving ring from Phillies

PHILADELPHIA – Adley Rutschman is out of tonight’s lineup to open the series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. However, the All-Star catcher’s health is fine.

Manager Brandon Hyde is giving Rutschman a rest day, whether it lasts the full nine innings or until he’s needed off the bench.

“He played all four games in Tampa on the turf, caught three of them,” Hyde said this afternoon, “so just give him a day off today.”

Closer Félix Bautista won’t be used tonight after pitching four of the last five days, recording three saves and a two-inning win.

Bautista leads the American League and is third in the majors with 28 saves. He’s gotten a save or win in 33 of 45 appearances for a 73.3 percentage that would be the fourth-highest in club history behind Jim Johnson’s 74.6 in 2012, Randy Myers’ 77 in 1997 and Lee Smith’s 82.9 in 1994, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Seven Orioles have led the league in saves, with left-hander Zack Britton (47) the most recent in 2016.

Johnson holds the team record for most saves in a season with 51 in 2012.

“Just throwing him out there and he’s learning on the fly,” Hyde said of Bautista. “We’re not giving him any special coaching tips or anything. It’s, 'here’s the ball and get three outs, and get some tough outs in the eighth, too.' I’d love to stay away from that, but he’s got incredible makeup and confidence and poise, and nothing seems to rattle him ever. He’s just a stud.

“He likes being in that moment and we recognized that kind of early on last year after the (Jorge López) trade. He’s obviously taken to it extremely well. For me, he’s having the best season on the mound, especially as a reliever.”

Yennier Cano also pitched on back-to-back days and in four of five, making him unlikely to leave the bullpen tonight.

Kyle Gibson assumed that he’d probably receive his 2022 National League championship ring tonight at Citizens Bank Park. The timing made sense.

Gibson started 31 games for the Phillies last season and went 10-8 with a 5.05 ERA and 1.336 WHIP in 167 2/3 innings. He made one appearance in the NLDS, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings against the Padres, and also had a scoreless inning against Houston in the World Series.

The Orioles signed Gibson as a free agent over the winter.

“I really didn’t know when I was going to get it. But when you check the schedule and you know you’re coming here, I guess when they don’t give it to you before then, you kind of know you’re going to get it when you get here,” he said this afternoon.

“It’s still pretty surreal to think back and realize that I pitched in the World Series and was on a team that made it there. This will be a fun couple of days. Not only do I get to pitch here against a lot of guys that I have pretty good relationships with, but just a chance to catch up. Obviously, we didn’t win the World Series, but you still have a connection with these guys forever here in Philly. Being able to get that today will be a lot of fun.”

Gibson said he won’t wear the ring, but he knows where he’s keeping it.

“We have a couple built-in shelves in our basement home that most of my stuff has gone on,” he said. “Put it right up there with some of the other stuff.”

Gibson believes that the Orioles' clubhouse is very similar to the Phillies', except that it's younger. Hyde also sees the similarities, defined by its unity.

"I agree," Hyde said. "We're pretty loose. Guys like each other. That's honestly really, really huge. Everybody gets along. They're honest with each other, too, which is great. And they're relying on each other right now. I think that's a huge factor, holding each other accountable but also supporting each other.

"The dugout in Tampa was unbelievable. Just how everybody was super in every single pitch and pulling for each other. That's what it takes. I like how our guys have come together as a team. A huge part of that has been our veteran guys who have come in. They've done a great job of getting everybody together. And our young guys are just really easy, great guys, so it's made it a lot of fun."