Adley Rutschman Using Time On Injured List To Connect with Red Sox Pitchers

Adley Rutschman was still adjusting less than 24 hours after being traded for the first time in his career.

Being in playoff contention may make for a smoother transition once the three-time All-Star catcher is ready to take the field for the Red Sox after spending his first four-plus seasons with the Baltimore Orioles.

"Just from playing here, the city loves baseball. It always has a great atmosphere and I’m excited to play in it," Rutschman said Tuesday at Fenway Park before the Red Sox hosted the Chicago White Sox. "They’re playing the game the right way and doing things right. It was cool to watch from a distance. Now being here, like I said — just trying to fit in and help out any way I can."

Rutschman joined his new club on the injured list with left wrist inflammation. He and Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said Rutschman would meet with the team's medical staff to determine what’s next in his rehabilitation and how soon he could be back behind the plate.

Tracy said Rutschman is already swinging a bat and the Red Sox were hopeful to add him to their lineup soon. Boston also wasn’t about to rush the recovery of a player that cost it a handful of top prospects in a deal pulled off shortly before Monday's trade deadline.

"It’s been feeling good. I’ve got to get with the medical staff here and kind of just see what the next steps are moving forward," said Rutschman, who’s been on the IL since July 20. "I don't exactly know just what kind of timeline and how all that goes."

Rutschman moved from the Orioles, who were 12 games back in the AL East and on the fringes of the wild-card race entering Tuesday night, to the Red Sox, who were 5 1/2 games out of the division lead and in position for a wild card after winning 23