Orioles fall to Rockies 6-5 on July 26, but help is on the way. Adley Rutschman & Ryan Mountcastle near their return from rehab, signaling a key offensive boost.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
As the Orioles reel from a tough 6-5 loss to the last-place Rockies, a wave of positive news from the farm system offers a much-needed dose of hope. While the big-league club struggles to find its footing, the cavalry is getting ready, with star catcher Adley Rutschman and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle making significant strides in their rehab assignments, signaling their returns are just days away.
The Orioles are hopeful for Rutschman's return in late July and Mountcastle's by July 30 or shortly after.
The best news of the week is coming out of Norfolk. Adley Rutschman (left oblique strain) is back behind the plate for the Tides, and Ryan Mountcastle (right hamstring strain) made an immediate impact, homering in his first rehab game. In a tantalizing glimpse of the future, Rutschman even scored on a double by top prospect Samuel Basallo. Even more encouraging is the sight of Kyle Bradish back on a mound for High-A Aberdeen, his first game action since Tommy John surgery in June 2024. While Bradish's return is a long-term project, the imminent return of two middle-of-the-order bats could provide the offensive jolt the team desperately needs.
General Manager Mike Elias has been busy, executing a trade that sends LHP Gregory Soto to the Mets for two pitching prospects, RHP Wellington Aracena and RHP Cameron Foster. This move signals a focus on the future, but the present took a hit with RHP Félix Bautista landing on the 15-day IL with shoulder inflammation. To fill the gaps, INF Jeremiah Jackson and RHP Kade Strowd were called up from Norfolk. In a minor shuffle, catcher Chadwick Tromp was reinstated from the IL but opted for free agency over a minor league assignment, closing that chapter of the O's catching depth.
Back in Baltimore, the reality is a 45-57 record and a pitching staff with the 27th-ranked ERA in baseball (4.98). The team relies heavily on the long ball, ranking 12th with 118 homers, but has struggled to prevent them, allowing the third-most in the league. Tonight, they face the Rockies again, hoping to bounce back from Friday's loss and build some momentum before their injured stars return. The offense, led by Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano, needs to overcome the pitching staff's struggles to get back in the win column.
Tonight's game against the Rockies is more than just a chance to even the series; it's a test of the current roster's resilience. But all eyes are on the near future. With Rutschman and Mountcastle poised to return and the front office actively making moves, the next week could define the rest of the Orioles' 2025 season.
