The three-time All-Star catcher is set to make his Red Sox debut in Toronto on Tuesday.
After the Boston Red Sox fell to the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 in Monday’s series opener north of the border, interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters, including Tim Healey of the Boston Globe, that the team plans to activate All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman ahead of Tuesday’s game.
The 28-year-old backstop was traded to Boston ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline for a massive prospect package including top pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson.
Prior to landing on the injured list on July 20 with left wrist inflammation, Rutschman hit .251/.331/.433/.764 with eight home runs and 37 RBI in 67 games for the Baltimore Orioles, en route to his third career All-Star nod. He has also missed time in 2026 with a concussion and an ankle injury.
Jun 3, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) and field coordinator/catching coach Joe Singley (87) walk to the bullpen before the start of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. David Butler II-Imagn ImagesRutschman spent the weekend on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester, where he went 1-for-7 with a double and two RBIs, also walking twice and scoring two runs. The 28-year-old caught the first five innings of Worcester’s 19-0 win on Saturday before serving as the designated hitter for Sunday’s loss. He traveled with the team to Toronto, worked out ahead of the loss, and it was determined that he would be activated.
Since being selected by Baltimore with the first overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Rutschman has, at times, been one of the best catchers in baseball, hitting .254/.342/.414/.756 with 69 home runs, 122 doubles, and 277 RBI across five big league seasons. However, he has been limited to just 157 games since the start of the 2025 season due to a litany of injuries.
He’ll look to provide a spark to a Red Sox lineup that has scored just seven runs during the team’s now three-game losing streak.
Aug 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Raymond Burgos (79) and catcherJake Rogers (46) react after defeating the Athletics at Fenway Park. Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesWhile the Red Sox have not yet announced the corresponding move, Tracy told Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com before Monday’s loss that it was unlikely the team would carry three catchers, making one of the current tandem of Connor Wong or Jake Rogers the likely countermoves. Wong has one minor league option remaining, while Rogers, who was acquired alongside Rutschman, would have to be designated for assignment.
Up next for the Red Sox
Rutschman will make his team debut behind the plate as Boston looks to snap that three-game losing streak in game two of four from Toronto. Patrick Sandoval (1-0, 3.38 ERA) will get the start for the Red Sox opposite Cy Young hopeful Dylan Cease (7-5, 2.28 ERA) for the Blue Jays. First pitch from the Rogers Centre is set for 7:07 p.m. ET.
