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 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.

View post on X

To open the season, the Orioles also carried five outfielders. But at the time they had two catchers, and now-injured first baseman Ryan Mountcastle was the sixth infielder on the roster.

Advertise with us

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 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 face waiver limbo. If he goes unclaimed by other teams, he will have to decide whether to elect free agency or accept an outright assignment to the minors.

Rutschman has faced two injured list stints this year, the other for left ankle inflammation. The concussion was especially bizarre, because it occurred while he ran the bases. An errant throw from Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson hit him 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.

Advertise with us

Beavers hasn’t played since May 10. He said Saturday his side began to feel loose and free again during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk. He’s hitting .243 with a .699 OPS.

Jackson began the season well, but he has cooled. His OPS was .768 at the end of April. It is now .664.