The Boston Red Sox activated catcher Adley Rutschman from the injured list, the team announced, paving the way for their prized trade deadline acquisition to make his club debut on Tuesday night in Toronto. The corresponding move has not yet been announced.
Rutschman has been on the IL with left wrist inflammation since the middle of July — his third trip to the IL this season following earlier stints for left ankle inflammation and a concussion. Once the franchise cornerstone in Baltimore, Rutschman was traded July 3 by the Orioles to their AL East rivals for a massive package headlined by prospects Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon and Enddy Azocar.
Rutschman’s return comes as Boston has started to cool after a sweltering six-week stretch. The Sox have lost three in a row after dropping just three of their previous 29 contests. A 32-5 run had propelled Boston from 14 games below .500 to 13 above, pushing the Sox from well outside the playoff picture to comfortably inside it, with a chance to chase down the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees in the division.
Rutschman should provide a significant lift behind the plate. Boston’s catchers rank 25th in the sport in fWAR so far this season (0.3 entering Tuesday), with more than half of that coming from Jake Rogers, the backup who was also part of the trade from Baltimore. Carlos Narváez, traded to the Orioles in the deal, and Connor Wong have combined for 0.0 WAR with the Red Sox this season.
Rutschman is enjoying his best season since 2023, with 2.3 fWAR and a .251/.331/.433 slash line in 67 games.
This story will be updated.
