The Baltimore Orioles face a catcher crisis on June 23, 2025, as Adley Rutschman hits the IL and Maverick Handley is injured. Who will step up for the O's?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the injury bug couldn't bite any harder, the Baltimore Orioles were dealt a devastating one-two punch behind the plate. The unthinkable happened Monday as star catcher Adley Rutschman was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain—the first IL stint of his four-year MLB career. Compounding the crisis, his replacement, Maverick Handley, is now being evaluated after a frightening home plate collision in Sunday's loss, leaving the team's most important position in a state of emergency.
He's 1,000% deserving of that.
The news of Adley Rutschman's left oblique strain sent shockwaves through Birdland. For the first time, the iron man catcher is on the IL, leaving a massive void in the lineup and behind the plate. The timing couldn't be worse. Maverick Handley, recalled from Norfolk to fill Rutschman's spot, was immediately thrown into the fire, only to be removed from Sunday's game after a violent collision with Jazz Chisholm. Interim manager Tony Mansolino confirmed Handley is undergoing a 'full body' evaluation, including for a concussion, leaving veteran Gary Sanchez as the last man standing for the moment.
The catching crisis isn't the only issue. Third baseman Jordan Westburg remains sidelined with a sprained index finger, pressing Ramon Urias into his fourth consecutive start at the hot corner. Urias has responded well, even moving up to the second spot in the batting order for Monday's game against the Rangers. To address pitching depth, the team also made moves ahead of the series, recalling right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo from Triple-A Norfolk and optioning the struggling Yennier Cano to get back on track.
Amid the onslaught of tough news, a major bright spot continues to be the bat of Ryan O'Hearn. The designated hitter leads all AL DHs in the latest All-Star voting update, and for good reason. Sporting a .305 average and providing consistent thump in the middle of the order, O'Hearn has been a revelation. Manager Tony Mansolino left no doubt about his feelings on the matter, telling reporters O'Hearn is '1,000% deserving' of his first career All-Star selection, a sentiment echoed by fans across the league.
Tonight, the walking wounded Orioles (33-43) begin a three-game set against the Texas Rangers at Camden Yards. Lefty Patrick Corbin (4-6, 3.91 ERA) gets the ball, tasked with steadying the ship against Trevor Rogers. For fans looking to tune in, the team announced a new streaming option: MASN+ is now available for in-market fans for $19.99 a month, finally providing a direct-to-consumer option to watch the Birds.
With a battered roster and their backs against the wall, the Orioles' depth will be tested like never before as they open this series against Texas. Tonight’s game at Camden Yards isn't just about getting a win; it's about proving their resilience. All eyes will be on Patrick Corbin to set the tone and for unsung heroes to emerge from the shadow of injured stars.
