Adley Rutschman’s path back to the Red Sox is starting to come into focus, and the signs are pointing toward a return sooner rather than later.
Boston’s newest star, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles ahead of the 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline, has been out since July 18 because of left wrist inflammation. But the latest update from Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy suggests the wait is nearly over.
On Thursday, Tracy said Rutschman was “close” to a minor league rehab assignment. By Friday, he had pushed that timeline forward.
“Adley's going to play tomorrow,” Tracy said. “Adley's going to catch five innings and get two to three ABs tomorrow.”
The Worcester Red Sox also confirmed the news on their official X account, signaling that Rutschman is set to begin his rehab assignment on Saturday with Triple-A Worcester. Since a position player’s rehab assignment comes with a 20-day limit, that means Aug. 27 would be the last day he could remain on assignment before the team has to decide whether to activate him or option him.
That decision would need to be made by Aug. 28.
Still, the early workload Tracy laid out suggests Boston may not need anywhere close to the full window. Catching five innings and taking two to three at-bats is a clear first step, and it puts Rutschman on a track that should have Red Sox fans seeing him in action again very soon, barring a setback.
And Boston could use him. The Red Sox have won nine straight and sit at 64-51, just a half-game behind the New York Yankees for the top American League Wild Card spot. Adding Rutschman back into the mix would only strengthen a team that is already rolling.
Before landing on the Injured List, the three-time All-Star was hitting .251/.331/.433 with a .764 OPS, eight homers and 47 RBIs. That kind of production in the middle of the lineup is exactly why his return matters.
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Red Sox Trade Is Already Creating A Debate Boston Fans Dread
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