Notes on Mountcastle, Rutschman and more

Ryan Mountcastle took batting practice on the field again today and is expected to be activated from the injured list prior to Saturday night’s game against the Rays.

Mountcastle hasn’t played since the Orioles scratched him from the May 11 lineup in St. Louis with discomfort in his left wrist and forearm. He went on the injured list a few days later.

“If everything goes well (today) and he doesn’t feel anything,” said manager Brandon Hyde, “he should be back in there tomorrow.”

A corresponding roster move must be made to accommodate Mountcastle.

The Orioles didn’t select catcher Adley Rutschman’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk. He apparently remains with the team in Charlotte as the Orioles begin another home series.

Rutschman has caught on three consecutive nights for the first time since joining the Tides. He homered on Tuesday and Wednesday, had a run-scoring single last night and is batting .233/.377/.442 in 12 games.

Hyde is pleased with the work he’s getting behind the plate from Robinson Chirinos and Anthony Bemboom. One of them will be removed from the roster when Rutschman arrives. Neither of them can be optioned.

Their defense and ability to navigate starters and relievers through opposing lineups aren’t keeping Rutschman in the minors.

“I’m really happy with our catching situation,” Hyde said. “Robby, Bemboom, they’ve done an amazing job handling our pitching staff. But the decision with Adley’s going to be about Adley. They will call him up when they feel like he’s ready. It has nothing to do with how our guys are doing behind the plate, because they’ve done an absolutely fantastic job handling our pitchers.

“Been extremely pleased with both guys. Unbelievably professional. Robby’s got a big track record and caught in a lot of huge games and done it for a long time. Bemboom’s come as advertised. Just a defensive guy that’s off-the-charts makeup. He puts a ton of pride into putting a zero up every inning. So, I’ve been really, really pleased with what we’ve done behind the plate, but the decision with Adley’s going to be ultimately when they feel like he’s ready.”  

Chirinos and Bemboom are batting a combined .129/.239/.218 with two home runs. But the club has kept its focus on other areas.

There are always two sides to a transaction, and Hyde knows a difficult conversation is looming with one of them.

“That’s going to be challenging,” Hyde said. “It’s going to be hard, because they’ve been ultimate team guys. It’s going to be hard to see one of them go.”

In case anyone thought they might carry three catchers.

Per Elias Sports, Anthony Santander joined Randy Milligan (June 12, 1990) and Manny Machado (Aug. 18, 2017) yesterday as the only Orioles to record three extra-base hits, including a walk-off home run, in a single game. He’s the first major leaguer to do it since Alex Verdugo on June 22, 2019.

For the Rays
Yandy Díaz 3B
Wander Franco SS
Harold Ramírez DH
Ji-Man Choi 1B
Randy Arozarena LF
Kevin Kiermaier CF
Isaac Paredes 2B
Mike Zunino C
Brett Phillips RF

Jalen Beeks LHP