Rutschman went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and an additional run scored during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

It was the first big fly of spring training for Rutschman, who's now gone 4-for-15 (.267) with a double and two walks over his first 15 at-bats of the spring. The switch-hitting backstop was a big disappointment in 2025, as evidenced by a career-worst .673 OPS across 365 regular-season plate appearances, but Rutschman is all set to reprise his role as Baltimore's top catcher in 2026. Although top prospect Samuel Basallo (abdomen) does present some competition for action behind the dish, he's more likely to serve as the Orioles' primary designated hitter.

Rutschman agreed to a one-year, $7.25 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Much like the Orioles as a whole, Rutschman is coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw him finish with just nine home runs and a .220/.307.673 slash line in 90 games. Top prospect Samuel Basallo made his MLB debut down the stretch last year and inked a massive extension in August, which is likely to cut into Rutschman's playing time behind the plate in 2026. However, Rutschman is still expected to operate as the primary catcher, with Basallo set to see significant action at designated hitter.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said Monday that Rutschman remains "front and center" as the organization's top catcher, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Baltimore signed Samuel Basallo to a $67 million extension in August, the 21-year-old is regarded as a bat-first prospect who won't yet be entrusted to handle a full-time catching role in the big leagues. Basallo instead projects to see most of his reps at first base and designated hitter in 2026 while occasionally mixing in behind the plate, so long as Rutschman maintains health. When available this past season, Rutschman continued to provide value defensively, but his offensive production continued its downward trend from his 2022 rookie campaign. Over 365 plate appearances in 2025, Rutschman turned in a .673 OPS and supplied underwhelming counting statistics (nine home runs, zero steals, 37 runs and 29 RBI) in his 90 games. Set to turn 28 in February, Rutschman still has time to regain his prior form at the plate, but investing in him in 2026 fantasy drafts may require some blind faith on the part of fantasy managers.

Rutschman isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Rutschman has gone just 1-for-11 in four games since returning from the injured list, and he'll now receive a day off while Samuel Basallo starts behind the plate and bats eighth.

Rutschman is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Rutschman started at catcher in each of the first two games of the series, but he'll get a breather during Thursday's matinee. Alex Jackson is behind the dish and batting eighth for the Orioles.

The Orioles activated Rutschman (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Rutschman has missed the last month-plus with a right oblique strain but will rejoin the Orioles' active roster for the final week of the regular season. He and Samuel Basallo should share catching duties in the final week, with both players also likely to see action action at designated hitter. Basallo could play some first base, as well.

Rutschman (oblique) will start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rutschman has been working through a mild right oblique strain since mid-August. He participated in batting practice over the weekend, and the 27-year-old catcher has progressed enough in his recovery to embark on a rehab assignment. Per Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun, Rutschman is expected to be with Norfolk for about a week before being activated from the 10-day IL.

Rutschman (oblique) is likely to start a rehab assignment at some point this week, per MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Rutschman took batting practice Friday and Saturday amid his recovery from a strained oblique, putting him on track to return to game action in the minor leagues in the imminent future. It's unclear how many at-bats the Orioles will want Rutschman to take before rejoining the major-league roster, but he still has a chance to be activated from the injured list in mid-September. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should keep the star backstop stashed in all formats.

Rutschman (oblique) will take batting practice this weekend, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rutschman began hitting off a tee this past Friday and will take another big step forward with his hitting progression this weekend. It's not clear whether the Orioles will ask him to go out on a rehab assignment, but either way he would seem to have a good shot to be activated from the 10-day injured list at some point next week. Rutschman has been shelved since mid-August with a right oblique strain.

Rutschman (oblique) took swings off a tee Friday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rutschman took swings for the first time since being placed on the injured list Aug. 21 due to a strained right oblique. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said Friday that the Orioles are still expecting to get Rutschman back for the last week or two of the regular season.