The Baltimore Orioles called up catcher Adley Rutschman from Triple-A Norfolk, and the top prospect in minor league baseball made his major league debut Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
He batted sixth and had a stand-up triple in the seventh inning for his first major league hit in the Orioles' 6-1 loss. Rutschman went 1 for 3 with a strikeout and a walk.
"Extremely blessed to be able to play this game, have people who support me and cheer for me," Rutschman said. "Obviously, lost the game and just kind of looking forward to being with the team, trying to win games again. Obviously special that a lot of people were cheering tonight. I can't wait to get to that normal, everyday team aspect.
"Definitely a special moment.''
Rutschman, the overall top draft pick in 2019 out of Oregon State, was hitting .309 with 3 home runs and 9 RBIs this season in 19 games across three levels of the minors in 2022.
He played 123 games for Double-A Bowie and Norfolk in 2021, batting .285 with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs.
Rutschman, 24, suffered a strained right triceps during a minor league intrasquad game in March, delaying his start to the season.
Rutschman is set to wear No. 35, the same number Hall of Famer Mike Mussina wore when he pitched for the Orioles.
In a corresponding move, catcher Anthony Bemboom was designated for assignment.
Also Saturday, the Orioles activated Ryan Mountcastle from the injured list, recalled right-hander Mike Baumann from Norfolk and optioned right-hander Logan Gillaspie and left-hander Nick Vespi to Norfolk.
Mountcastle, who was dealing with a strained left wrist, is hitting .268 with 4 homers and 16 RBIs this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
