Boston’s Adley Rutschman could be in lineup in return to Baltimore

It’s unclear if, and how much, Boston catcher Adley Rutschman will play when the Red Sox visit the Baltimore Orioles for a four-game series that begins Thursday night.

But it’s quite likely that Rutschman will be a big part of the conversation surrounding those matchups, despite missing the past three games due to a hyperextended right elbow.

Boston fell 8-3 to the visiting Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Rutschman did not play but had been ruled available.

“Hopeful for tomorrow,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said Wednesday. “Each day, it’s getting a little bit better. So we’re trying to do our best due diligence, like can we get him to a better place and then go. … If we give him this rest, maybe we’ll get to a place where he’s ready to go and not have to do a bunch of two-on and two-off.”

Rutschman, who was the first overall pick by the Orioles in the 2019 draft, was dealt to the Red Sox at the trade deadline on Aug. 3. He played in 572 games with the Orioles beginning with his debut on May 21, 2022.

In 15 games with the Red Sox, he’s batting .170 with one homer and four RBIs.

The Red Sox (75-65) have lost four of their past five games and six of the past eight.

The Orioles (69-71) will be back home for the first time since Aug. 23. They went 6-3 on a road trip that concluded with Wednesday’s 6-5 setback in 11 innings against the Colorado Rockies. Baltimore lost the final two games of that series.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said it was a dismal result to end what was otherwise an encouraging road trip. Baltimore has ground to make up in the chase for an American League wild-card spot.

“A good road trip for us,” Albernaz said. “We’re pumped to get back home and get in front of our fans. But ultimately, good road trips right now are OK, but not good enough.”

Right-hander Brandon Young (9-3, 3.38 ERA) gets the call as Baltimore’s starting pitcher in the series opener.

This will be Young’s fourth start in an attempt to reach the 10-win level, though he covered a total of 12 2/3 innings while allowing three runs in the Orioles’ 10-inning triumphs against the Tampa Bay Rays and the Athletics in his past two appearances, combined. Both were no-decisions.

Young faced Boston on April 24, picking up a home victory while giving up three runs across 5 2/3 innings. That’s his only career matchup versus the Red Sox.

Boston will go with left-hander Jake Bennett (9-6, 3.27) as its starter. The rookie went 3-2 in August, winning his past two outings, including Saturday’s stint of six shutout innings against the New York Yankees in a 6-0 game.

Bennett beat the Orioles on July 22 in Boston by working 5 2/3 innings and surrendering three runs on nine hits.

Following the last trip to Baltimore for the Red Sox, there was a managerial change. Alex Cora was fired during that April weekend, and he was replaced by Tracy.

–Field Level Media