The Baltimore Orioles placed starting catcher Adley Rutschman on the 10-day injured list with left ankle inflammation prior to Saturday’s home game against the San Francisco Giants.
Rutschman was in Saturday’s original starting lineup, batting third and catching. But he was scratched before the game and replaced in the lineup by Ryan Mountcastle, with designated hitter Samuel Basallo moving behind the plate.
The Orioles recalled catcher Maverick Handley from Double-A Chesapeake and designated pitcher Chayce McDermott for assignment.
Rutschman, the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, was off to a solid start, slashing .294/.385/.471 with six doubles. He went on the injured list twice last season with left and right oblique strains and played in a career-low 90 games.
Moreover, the two-time American League All-Star struggled in those games, dropping to a .220 batting average with nine home runs in 322 at-bats.
Handley appeared in 16 games for the Orioles last season, picking up three hits and three RBIs in 41 at-bats.
Basallo, a 21-year old potential break-out star, figures to earn most of the playing time behind the plate.
