Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson had a message for catcher Adley Rutschman.
The Baltimore Orioles entered Tuesday looking to take the series against the struggling Kansas City Royals. The Orioles have been underwhelming to start the season.
Baltimore sits at 11-13 and has struggled to find offensive consistency, but the club received a major boost with the return of catcher Adley Rutschman.
The 28-year-old was activated from the 10-day injured list after missing the minimum with left ankle inflammation, and his presence immediately changed the tone around the team.
Before the game against the Royals, Gunnar Henderson shared how much Rutschman’s return meant inside the clubhouse. “I know he's pumped up. It seems like he's been cooped up in a cage for a while [laughs], but no, pumped up to have him back and have him back in the lineup,” Henderson said (h/t Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun).
Rutschman wasted no time making an impact, recording two hits, including a two-run home run, in Baltimore’s loss to Kansas City. Even in defeat, the Orioles were reminded of how different their lineup looks when both Henderson and Rutschman are healthy and producing. They remain the faces of the franchise, and their importance to Baltimore’s postseason hopes cannot be overstated.
Both players share a deep connection to the organization’s rebuild. Rutschman was selected first overall in the 2019 MLB Draft, while Henderson was taken in the second round of that same class.
Since then, each has developed into a foundational piece. Henderson, now 24 and in his fifth season, is a former Rookie of the Year, All-Star and Silver Slugger. Through 23 games this season, he has five home runs and 15 RBIs.
Rutschman, also in his fifth season, is a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger who entered Tuesday hitting .294 with a .385 on-base percentage and an .855 OPS through his first 10 games.
The Orioles need both players performing at a high level if they hope to return to the MLB playoffs this year. Their offense has been inconsistent, and the team has yet to find the sustained momentum required to climb back above the .500 mark. But with Rutschman healthy again and Henderson continuing to thrive at the top of the lineup, Baltimore finally has its core intact.
The message from Henderson was clear: the Orioles are better when Rutschman is on the field, and now it is time for both franchise pillars to help push the team forward.