The Orioles are receiving reinforcements ahead of their series finale Sunday against the Washington Nationals.
Baltimore reinstated catcher Adley Rutschman from the seven-day concussion injured list and outfielder Dylan Beavers from the 10-day injured list. To make room for the duo, the Orioles optioned infielder Jeremiah Jackson to Triple-A Norfolk and designated catcher Sam Huff for assignment.
The decision to send Jackson to the minors is unexpected because it leaves the Orioles with a rather curious roster construction. They are sticking with three catchers, and with Beavers’ return, they have five outfielders. That leaves five infielders for four spots nightly.
To open the season, the Orioles also carried five outfielders. But at the time, they had two catchers, and now-injured first baseman was the sixth infielder on the roster.
The Orioles have opted to stick with three catchers of late as cover in case Rutschman and Samuel Basallo are both in the lineup and one needs to depart a game early. Basallo’s ability to play first base, as he is Sunday, gives the Orioles some positional versatility. Blaze Alexander’s utility will be even more important, too, for late-game matchup changes.
And, worst-case scenario, outfielder Leody Taveras showed he can at least be passable as an emergency third baseman.
Huff, designated for assignment for a second time by the Orioles, will now face waiver limbo. If he goes unclaimed by other teams, Huff will have a decision of whether to elect free agency or accept an outright assignment to the minors.
Rutschman has faced two injured list stints this year, once for this concussion and once for left ankle inflammation. The concussion was especially bizarre, as it occurred while he ran the bases. An errant throw from Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson hit Rutschman on the head June 18.
While healthy, Rutschman has shown improvement at the plate. He’s hitting .254 with a .787 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.
Beavers hasn’t played since May 10 due to his oblique strain. He said Saturday that his side began to feel loose and free again during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk. He’s hitting .243 this year with a .699 OPS.
Jackson began the season well at the plate, but he has since cooled off. His OPS was .768 at the end of April. His OPS is now .664.





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