The appearance was brief but couldn’t be delayed any longer.

Adley Rutschman ducked inside the Orioles’ clubhouse earlier today before shifting his attention back to the upcoming game at Camden Yards. He needed to sit down with Red Sox starter Jake Bennett and devise the plan of attack against his former teammates.

Emotions must be pushed down with so much at stake in the series.

“It’s a lot of feelings going on,” he said while standing against a row of Red Sox lockers that served as his interview backdrop. “Different being over on this side, but saw some guys outside here just now. Like, a lot of memories, a lot of positive memories. Just good interactions with guys.”

Rutschman isn’t keen on attention overload but kept a smile on his face for most of the 11 minutes while questions were tossed at him, many similar in nature but with some wording altered.

“You’ve got like some old habits,” he said. “You walk down the tunnel so many times taking an early right turn, so definitely a little different. And some of the guys were giving me a little bit of crap. They were texting me, saying make sure you don’t take a right turn in the dugout after you ground out or something.”

Manager Craig Albernaz grinned and said Rutschman “couldn’t help himself.” He had to see his friends. He had to hug, talk and laugh.

“He stopped into the clubhouse quickly,” Albernaz said. “Day 1 of a series for a catcher is, there’s a lot going on for him. A lot of hugs, a lot of crap talk going back and forth. So that was good to see him.”

Albernaz managed Rutschman for half a season and lost him twice to the injured list, but he understood and admired the catcher’s impact on the club both on and off the field. He’ll stand in his usual spot in the Orioles’ dugout and watch Rutschman from the other side, a perspective he must get used to for the rest of the series and beyond.

“With Adley, it’s just good to see a smile on his face and see his goofy self kind of walking around,” Albernaz said. “Today will be fun. I’m sure there will be a lot of smack talking back and forth with the guys and they already told him that if he grounds out to shortstop, he might peel off and come into our dugout because he’s done that so many times. So it’s gonna be a fun time for the guys.”

The Orioles have much more to play for tonight and over the weekend than nostalgia and homecomings. They moved within a game of the third Wild Card after the Blue Jays defeated the Guardians again this afternoon. Players don’t need to be reminded.

“The time of year we’re in and where we’re at in the season and the Wild Card hunt, it goes without being said,” Albernaz said. “Our guys are, playing for something bigger is not the right way to put it, but it’s something that we’re trying to get into the playoffs and we’re trying to play our best baseball.

“Playing against Adley, he’s on the Red Sox right now, but I’m sure once the initial, like the first inning and they have the video tribute or whatever, I’m sure they’ll have some fun with that. But when the game starts, it goes back to competition. Our guys have done a great job of competing their butts off since the All-Star break and since the trade deadline, especially the series after the trade deadline. That’s when the emotions were running at its highest, and they did a great job of responding and taking care of business that series. So that puts us in a good spot, and I think our guys, they’re still in the same mindset as that day, as well.

“They’ll love to see Adley, but also they’re going to try to kick his ass, too.”

The return coming in the thick of a playoff race adds to the moment, providing a unique dynamic.

“I love that the fans get to acknowledge Adley, too, and Adley gets to feel that emotion,” Albernaz said. “For the fan base, they’ve been great all year, and Adley being a fixture here, being able for them to feel that is awesome. I’m sure it’s going to be weird for the fans, too, because they want to show their support and their acknowledgement, but also, he’s playing for the Red Sox, so I’m sure they’re going to be torn for a little bit. That’s why in my mind it’s gonna be a fun series.”

Rutschman won’t let himself get too deep in thoughts about the standing ovation that awaits him and how he might react to it. Step out of the box, raise his helmet, wave to the crowd, maybe fight back some tears. He doesn’t know.

“I’ve talked with a couple guys just about how it’s gone for them when they’ve been traded and going back,” he said. “From being here, it’s just so many positive memories and I’ll just kind of take stuff as it comes. But all new experiences.”

Rutschman returned to the lineup after being out for three days with elbow soreness. He’s gotten into 15 games, going 9-for-53 with a double and home run. And he’s gotten more acclimated to his surroundings and routine.

“There’s been some adjustment, just making sure that I’m on the same page with the new pitching staff and all new personnel,” he said. “Making sure that everything’s running smoothly from the catching side, and that’s kind of been the biggest thing as far as workload goes, making sure I’m doing those guys a good service when I’m behind the plate.”

President of baseball operations Mike Elias made Rutschman the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, Elias’ first in the Orioles’ front office, called him up to the majors three years later and traded him at the deadline for four prospects and backup catcher Carlos Narváez.

“It’s been a phenomenal experience,” Rutschman said.

And apparently with no hard feelings.

Asked whether he felt any resentment toward Elias immediately after the trade, with the phone call coming as he was walking into a movie theatre with teammates, Rutschman replied, “I have a ton of respect for Mike.”

“He’s got a tough job,” Rutschman added. “He’s got to make tough decisions. I always respect that he’s really good at what he does and he has reasons for everything that he does, and I’ve always had a good relationship with him. Just one of those things in baseball that you kind of understand is part of the business aspect of it, and he’s got to do what he thinks is best for the organization short term and long term. So I don’t have any ill feelings toward anyone in the Orioles organization at all.

“Like I said, it’s been nothing but positive and will continue to be that way.”

Ryan O’Hearn offered some advice about transitioning to a different team. O’Hearn was traded to the Orioles, who sent him to the Padres at last year’s deadline. He signed with the Pirates as a free agent.

“I think just taking things as they come and trying to look at everything as an opportunity and trying to make the most out of every single situation in life, in general, which I guess is good life advice, as well,” Rutschman said.

*Reliever Grant Wolfram, who experienced some elbow tightness in the 11th inning of yesterday’s 6-5 walk-off loss to the Rockies, threw in the outfield this afternoon. In the meantime, the Orioles brought up reliever Anthony Nunez for the taxi squad in case a roster move became necessary.

“Kind of just in case to see where Wolfie’s at,” Albernaz said.