Orioles’ Bad Season Gets Worse After Adley Rutschman News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 5:25 PM ET

The Baltimore Orioles aren't technically out of the playoff picture, but they need a miracle to sneak into the dance this season. They're eight games behind the Seattle Mariners for the AL's third and final Wild Card spot with five weeks left in the regular season, although they are 6-4 in their last 10 games.

The Orioles are 59-67 heading into Thursday night's home date with the Houston Astros. Their season has been disappointing after making a Wild Card appearance last year, but they're having one of their better stretches of the year despite dealing several players at the trade deadline.

One of the players Baltimore kept was veteran catcher Adley Rutschman, who it announced an injury update about before Thursday's game, via its social media.

The team placed Rutschman on the 10-day IL due to a right oblique strain, retroactive to Monday. It also recalled outfielder Daniel Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move.

Rutschman was struggling in August, slashing just. 208/.276/.340 with one homer and four RBI. The 27-year-old hasn't played since Sunday.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/8iHBoePAGK
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 21, 2025

Adley Rutschman Regressing After Promising Start

Rutschman is slashing .227/.310/.373 with nine homers and 29 RBI over 85 games this year, a step back from his first three seasons. The 6-foot-2-inch, 230-pounder hit at least .250 in each of those years, with an OPS of at least .709. His OPS is just .684 this season.

Rutschman has had spurts of success in 2025, but not consistently. The catcher slashed .286/.348/.619 in March before downgrading to .205/.326/.295 in April and .182/.265/.295 in May. He then slashed .309/.381/.509 in June before playing just three games in July.

Rutschman was an All-Star in 2023 and 2024 as well as a Silver Slugger and All-MLB First Team selection in 2023. The Orioles selected the Oregon native No. 1 overall in the 2019 MLB Draft and signed him for $8.1 million, a record signing bonus for a draft pick at the time.

Shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who Baltimore took in the second round that year, is outperforming Rutschman. The 24-year-old is slashing .281/.353/.470 with 15 homers and 57 RBI over 119 games this year. He made the All-Star team last season and was the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year.

Right-handed pitcher Brandon Young will start for the Orioles against Astros right-hander Jason Alexander at Oriole Park on Thursday night. The contest will start a four-game series.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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