This, that and the other

The Orioles are in a rare catching bind with Adley Rutschman making his first career stop on the injured list and Maverick Handley placed on the seven-day concussion injured list yesterday. Apparently, it isn’t safe to swing in the cage or try to make a tag at home plate.

Gary Sánchez is less than two weeks removed from his own IL stay and could get worn to a nub if he’s forced to handle a heavy workload, especially in this heat. Interim manager Tony Mansolino gave him a slight break last night by using him as the designated hitter against Rangers left-hander Patrick Corbin.

Chadwick Tromp is back in the majors. He caught last night. David Bañuelos is making is living on the taxi squad. The Orioles like keeping him close.

Veteran James McCann was released Sunday by the Braves so that he could sign a major league deal with the Diamondbacks. The Orioles never came into play. The sides had some early talks but nothing recent.

The organization’s No. 1 prospect just happens to be a catcher, but 20-year-old Samuel Basallo remains at Triple-A Norfolk.

The youngest player at that level is batting .271/.378/.590 with eight doubles, 15 home runs, 34 RBIs, 28 walks and 46 strikeouts in 48 games. He’s caught in 16 games and the Orioles want him to get more experience behind the plate and, as Mansolino said, “absolutely knock the door down.”

Basallo certainly has the strength to do it.

“He has a lot of power,” said infielder Jordan Westburg, who played in eight games with Norfolk during an injury rehab assignment. “He’s young, he’s still figuring things out. There’s certainly some areas he needs to grow in, but he’s young. And I’m trying to put myself in his shoes at 19 or 20 and probably doing the same things he’s doing and struggling with the same things. He’s gonna figure it out. There’s a lot of talent in there, too much talent not to figure it out.”

Mansolino was asked about Basallo the past two days and the answers didn’t vary. He emphasized yesterday that he wasn’t speaking for the team, just offering is own opinion.

“I think when you have prospects that have that high of a profile, if you’re talking about the guy coming to the big leagues prior to the injury, then I think it makes sense because he’s in the conversation. If you’re not talking about him coming to the big leagues prior to the injury … prospects with that profile come when they’re ready, not when there’s a need. I think it’s completely different. You’ve got to be careful with that.

“For me, when Sammy’s ready, and maybe he is ready today, I don’t know, but when he’s ready is when you bring him.”

* When compiling a list of unsung heroes for the 2025 season, it would be a huge oversight to exclude outfielder Dylan Carlson.

Where would the Orioles be without him?

Well, still in last place, but he’s become extremely valuable with Tyler O’Neill, Colton Cowser, Ramón Laureano and Cedric Mullins spending time on the injured list and Heston Kjerstad optioned. He’s contributing at the plate and making the occasional outstanding catch in left and right.

Heading into last night’s game, Carlson was batting .293 with an .806 OPS in 44 plate appearances at Camden Yards. But he also had two hits Sunday at Yankee Stadium and went 3-for-4 last Tuesday against the Rays in Tampa. He collected 25 hits in 78 at-bats (.320) since May 24.

Carlson was supposed to be an extra outfielder who could ride the shuttle with his minor league options, but he’s getting regular work.

“Obviously, these guys had a reason for bringing me in, so I trusted the fact that there was going to be an opportunity at some point,” he said. “They told me there was potentially at-bats for me and I just tried to make the most out of it when given and when presented. There’s really no way to kind of forecast or figure out how it’s gonna happen, but you’ve just got to trust and be ready when called upon.”

It's easier to answer that call when it comes more often, allowing Carlson to find a rhythm.

“Of course,” he said. “I think part of that is just different things. You start feeling more comfortable. This game’s so much about confidence. Once that starts to get rolling a little bit. And usually that comes when you play more regularly, you start feeling more confident out there and the talent starts to take over. Just different things as far as feeling comfortable, pressure, different things.

“Ultimately, I’d say when you play more and you start getting around these guys more, understand your role on the team and different things, that helps bring out the best in your game.”

* Ryan O’Hearn is one of five major league players this season with at least 10 home runs, 25 walks and an average of .300 or better, according to STATS.

He’s in pretty good company with Aaron Judge, Manny Machado, José Ramírez and Ketel Marte.

* Let’s double back to a recent mailbag question about whether someone retrieved Coby Mayo’s ball from his first major league RBI against the White Sox on May 31 at Camden Yards.

He doesn’t have it.

Mayo will always have the memory of his run-scoring single to left field off Davis Martin, and the collision with Lenyn Sosa between first and second base – his attempt to draw an obstruction call – that led to benches and bullpens emptying. He didn’t seem too concerned about the ball.