PITTSBURGH – Adley Rutschman spent yesterday’s game in the dugout, a typical rest day for a catcher. He wasn’t needed to pitch-hit or do anything else in an 8-2 loss to the Pirates.

The sweep was completed without him. He sat on the bench, and also some impressive early stats.

Rutschman has reached base in all seven of his games, slashing .333/.440/.524 with seven hits in 21 at-bats. He had four doubles and four walks, with only two strikeouts.

His four doubles were tied for third most in the majors yesterday behind Houston’s Christian Walker (six) and Atlanta’s Matt Olson (five).

If mining for positives from the first few weeks of the season, Rutschman is like a diamond in a rough start.

“I think we’re all seeing Adley Rutschman,” said Joe Singley, the Orioles’ field coordinator and catching coach.

“You know, one-one, he’s still that guy, and I think he’s just getting to show the world a little bit of that right now. So I’m just super excited for that.”

The top prospect, top draft pick version of Rutschman arrived only in flashes last season. He made two trips to the injured list with oblique strains and batted .220/.307/.366 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs in 90 games.

Spring training offered a clue about Rutschman’s resurgence, when he hit .295/.354/.477 with two doubles and two homers in 16 games. He was driving the ball to all fields. The swing wasn’t long and slowed.

The approach has carried into the regular season, including how he’s worked the count and drawn walks.

“We have the world of trust in Adley,” Singley said, “and I think the world of him offensively and defensively, and I think he’s getting to show a little bit of who he truly is, which is an incredible talent in front of the plate and behind it.”

Rutschman typical grades as one of the better blocking catchers in baseball, and Singley believes there’s more to it than just physical tools.

“I think as cliché as it may sound, courage,” he said. “He’s not afraid to get hit with the ball, he wants to block the ball, and he’s locked in on every pitch. And obviously, he has elite hand-eye coordination, so that marriage plays out pretty well.”

Rutschman turned 28 on Feb. 6, making him the same age as Singley.

What can Singley teach him?

“The trust factor there, it helps,” he said. “Being the same age, kind of being able to relate to him. Trust each other, trust what goes on in that room, and the process we have, and just keeping it there. I’m just facilitating a lot of work and just reminding them of some things. But the talent level for him is through the roof.”

Rutschman will catch someone tonight, presumably Albert Suárez but we don’t have an official starter. Povich seemed to be the choice after the Orioles recalled him and put reliever Yaramil Hiraldo on the injured list, but he replaced Chris Bassitt yesterday.

It’s too soon to call up Dean Kremer, who started Friday for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles are giving him at least one more start with the Tides.

“We have no idea yet,” manager Craig Albernaz said after the game. “TBD right now. Working through that right now.”

The Orioles swept a four-game series at Rate Field in May 2024 and improved to 33-18. Those were good times. They swept a three-game series last September but were 72-80.

The last loss on the South Side was April 15, 2023, when the Orioles took two of three. They’ve won eight in a row against the White Sox in Chicago.

Anyone feeling better?

First baseman Pete Alonso told reporters yesterday that the Orioles just need to focus on fundamentals. Of course, that’s been the mantra since spring training and they’re 3-6.

“Honestly, the biggest thing is just to play clean baseball, do the best you can to play clean baseball and keeping guys healthy,” Alonso said. “If you get your guys healthy and get the best guys out there and play clean baseball, you got a shot. If we do that, just play quality baseball and just kind of just stay within ourselves, we’ll be just fine. Just because you have a slow start doesn’t mean anything towards the end. There’s plenty of teams that have proven that over the course of time.

“It’d be great to go out and win nine in a row or however many games. But again, this is a marathon, and we have plenty of opportunities and chances to get better and win a lot of ballgames. So tomorrow, thank God, we get to come to the yard and play baseball and have another chance to win. The only thing we can do is go 1-0 tomorrow.”

Let’s tag on a few mailbag questions.

Have you spoken with Felix Bautista recently, if he’s even around, which, I don’t know. If so, how’s he doin’, what’s he up to, etc.?
About 6 feet 8. I haven’t talked to Bautista since spring training because he’s in Sarasota. The shoulder is feeling good. He’s hoping to pitch later this season.

Were you blindsided by Kremer being optioned?
Yes. None of us had that one on the bingo card. But he had a minor league option and the Orioles had too many starters. Kremer had to take one for the team. He knew that the option made him vulnerable. He isn’t mad, he isn’t in the doghouse and there’s really nothing to see here – including Kremer until he comes back.

Is it still too early to overreact to some recent struggles or is it never too early?
Overreact away. Listen, I understand the fan frustration after last season’s crushing disappointment, and I know people get tired of hearing that it’s early. But … it’s early. We’re nine games into a 162-game season. That’s early by any definition. However, the Orioles need to get better in multiple areas and they certainly know it. Injuries are messing with them again but it’s more than that.

How much longer is Ryan Mountcastle on this team?
Long enough to get a start in Chicago. He’s gonna play. But that doesn’t answer your question. We should see more of Mountcastle when the Orioles actually face some left-handed starters, but he’s a backup and this is how it’s going to work unless an injury presents more opportunities.

What’s our magic number?
Speaking of magic, your patience has disappeared.

Any more on when Mike Elias is going to hire a GM?
We haven’t received any updates beyond how it’s on the back burner, and that was a while ago.

Is it true the Artemis crew spotted the pristine remains of Alice Kramden on the lunar surface?
This is good. So, so good.

Given it’s Easter, are we gonna see “Big Christmas” anytime soon?
Can he pitch? Just eggin’ you on. No, not anytime soon unless, again, there are injuries that present an opportunity. Also, he’s hitting .217 with Norfolk.

It ain’t over ‘til it’s over, right?
You are correct, sir, and the 2026 season is a long way from being over. However, I should add that being 15-28 on May 17, 2025 felt over.