From the time he was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft until he was traded Monday, the only MLB organization Adley Rutschman knew was the Orioles.
But with Baltimore becoming midseason sellers and the Red Sox in the market for a proven catcher who could add power to a lineup that has emerged as one of the most potent in baseball, the three-time All-Star found himself on a Monday flight to begin a new chapter.
“It’s a unique situation,” Rutschman said Tuesday before the Red Sox’ 14-2 win over the White Sox at Fenway Park. “I’ve never been traded before.”
As quickly as everything came together, Rutschman took time to process the change, then immediately looked ahead.
“It’s a lot of emotion,” he said. “I played my entire career there, and there have been a lot of unbelievable memories. I made a lot of great friends for life. It’s tough saying goodbye, but we’re on to the next thing. I’m excited to be here and playing. It’s all part of the game.”
The Red Sox’ midsummer heat wave made them buyers at the trade deadline. They were willing to send catcher Carlos Narváez and three prospects — righthanders Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon and center fielder Enddy Azocar — plus a player to be named later or cash considerations to the Orioles for Rutschman, catcher Jake Rogers, and cash considerations.
“I think it’s a strong statement to the group to get a player like that,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said. “We went out and got a huge addition to our lineup and behind the plate. So it means a lot. We’ll work through getting him healthy and getting him out there, but his history speaks for itself, and who he is as a catcher and an offensive player. So it’s a big add for us.”
The Sox will have to wait to see the impact Rutschman can make.
He has been on the injured list, his third stint this season, since July 17 with left wrist inflammation, and was sidelined for 13 games before being traded. Tracy said there was no timetable for a return but added Rutschman had already begun a hitting progression.
“He’s creeping closer, but he just got here,” Tracy said. “He’s still meeting all our medical staff, seeing exactly where he’s at and then them determining, based on how he feels and where he’s at, what the next steps are and when we can get him out on a rehab assignment. So we haven’t gotten there yet, but he is swinging a bat and hitting right now.”
Tracy was nevertheless confident in what Rutschman could contribute.
“When you’re dealing with a guy of his caliber who’s been around a while, you give him the high-level information he needs, you let him do his thing as far as communication, and I think he’s going to pick it up fairly quickly just based on his reputation and who he is,” Tracy said. “So he’ll be fine, and with this amount of time to do that, I think he’ll be well-positioned whenever we do get him.”
White’s versatility plays
While the Red Sox were stringing together deadline deals, Eli White had a sense that he might be involved.
“I was kind of expecting something to happen there,” White said. “So I was just kind of waiting by my phone all day [Monday], and I was super excited when I heard I was coming up to Boston. So I’m pumped to be here.”
The Red Sox sent Triple-A righthander Tyler Uberstine to the Braves to acquire White. Between his track record as a strong defensive outfielder, his experience as an infielder, and his ability to handle lefthanded pitching, Tracy said White gives the team options, especially during stretches like the 16 games in 16 days it began Tuesday.
“We’ve been in different periods throughout the year where it’s been very difficult to give [center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela] or [right fielder Wilyer Abreu] a break or a day off. Having Eli, even if it’s against a righty, gives you the ability to do that if you feel like one of those guys needs a break, while still having a really good defensive outfielder out there. So he’ll help us in all those ways.”
White came on for Rafaela and finished the game in center. He grounded out in his one plate appearance.
Tracy said the addition of lefthanded reliever Erik Miller in exchange for infielder Marcelo Mayer gives options in the bullpen as well. Minor league outfielder Carlos Gutierrez also came over from San Francisco in the deal.
“It’s already a very, very strong bullpen from top to bottom, and [Miller] just adds to it,” Tracy said. “It just gives you another high-leverage arm, another guy who has the ability to come in, get people out and generate a ton of whiffs.”
Miller debuted and faced one batter, striking out Tristan Peters to end the sixth inning.
Rogers deals with change
After being designated for assignment by the Tigers and then traded to the Orioles, Rogers didn’t even unpack his bags in Baltimore before being sent to Boston. “It’s definitely been a crazy last week,” Rogers said … Outfielder Roman Anthony (right hand/wrist) took batting practice in the cage against overhand pitching. Tracy called it a step in the right direction … Staff ace Garrett Crochet (shoulder) began throwing Monday, reaching distances of 50 to 60 feet, Tracy said.
Julian Benbow can be reached at julian.benbow@globe.com.