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BOSTON — The Red Sox clubhouse was abuzz with comings and goings in the hours before Tuesday’s game against the White Sox.
It was not only the first one back after a west coast trip, but the first game back from the trade deadline. Newcomers were arriving, while other players prepared to depart.
Clubhouse staff were packing up Ryan Watson’s locker after the reliever was DFA’d. Nearby, new teammates were introducing themselves to Adley Rutschman. Across the room Romy Gonzalez was getting set to head to Worcester after being demoted. Lockers were still being set up for Erik Miller and Jake Rogers.
Miller wasn’t in the clubhouse in the late afternoon, but the other three newcomers — Rogers, Adley Rutschman and Eli White — met the Boston media for the first time.
Here are the highlights:
1. Adley Rutschman doesn’t have a timetable for his return — The new Red Sox catcher has been out since July 18 with a wrist injury. He said he’s been swinging the bat, but wasn’t sure what Boston’s doctors had up next.
“I got to get with medical staff and see what they have planned,” said Rutschman, who was asked if he’d need a rehab start before joining the big club. “I wish I could answer that for you. I don’t exactly know. I’ll be seeing you here shortly I guess.”
2. The team’s newest players had been monitoring Boston’s historic turnaround that put the Red Sox in position to buy at the deadline and bring them aboard.
“It’s been a fun team to watch. Hottest team in baseball. Seems like the club is really gelling together and playing some really good baseball,” Eli White said. “Looks like they’re having a lot of fun. Pumped to be part of this group.”
Rutschman had a similar assessment from seeing the Red Sox while still with Baltimore.
“We came here and they were on their incredible win streak. Coming in and playing a team that’s clicking on all cylinders is a lot,” he said. “They’re playing the game the right way. It was cool watch from a distance. Now being here, I’m trying to come in and help anyway I can.”
Jake Rogers agreed.
“Watching from across the field, they look like an incredible team to be a part of, a fun group of guys. From the outside looking in, I know they’re great people and they’ve proven that. It’s an exciting team to be a part of right now.”
3. Rogers’ lead-up to the trade deadline was wilder than most — The newest Red Sox catcher was traded for the second time in less than a week.
He was traded to Boston from the Orioles, a team he was with for three games. After getting designated for assignment by the Tigers, he was dealt to the Orioles, who sent him to the Red Sox with Rutschman.
“It was kind of crazy. Got the call around 4 o’clock. I was already pretty packed up from the trade from Detroit to Baltimore,” he said. “It was an easy pack up.”
4. The uniform staff was busy — Four new players on the major league roster meant putting new names and new numbers on gear in red, white, gray, Green Monster Green and Marathon yellow for the new players. Rutschman will wear No. 31, last worn by Liam Hendricks.
White took No. 38, briefly worn last year by Kyle Harrison. Erik Miller will be just the ninth Red Sox player to wear No. 67, but the second this year (Danny Coulombe).
Jake Rogers will also pull on a number previously worn this season, taking Tommy Kahnle’s old No. 46.
5. Eli White was expecting to be traded — When the Braves acquired Lane Thomas, he said, he assumed he was headed somewhere.
“I didn’t know for sure it was going to happen, but I was a little-bit expecting something.”
6. White has deep Boston ties — White has been coming to games at Fenway Park since he was a kid. White’s grandparents Fred and Christine Cerrone were born and raised in Westwood and his mother was born in Massachusetts.
“I remember coming up here on some trips when I was a kid,” White said. “My grandfather would always bring me to some games.”
His grandfather lives in Georgia now, but was happy to learn where White had been traded.
“He was very excited,” White said.
7. The two new catchers were eager to start learning their pitchers — While Rutschman wasn’t sure when he’d be ready to play, he planned to use all the time between now and then to get a head start on his mastery of his new pitchers.
“In the same league, I kind of know their arsenal. How they like to attack. What their plans are. What they like to do,” he said. “I’m definitely going to try to utilize the time as much as possible and get to know these guys and really understand what works best and how I can best serve them.”
Connor Wong started on Tuesday. Rogers planned to make the most of being in the bullpen.
“It takes me catching them a couple times to get to know them,” Rogers said. “Learning their go-tos when they’re behind in counts.”
What does he know going in?
“I know they get me out a lot in the past years. Lot of guys I’m excited to catch instead of face,” he said.
8. Leaving the Orioles wasn’t easy for Rutschman — The catcher spent his entire career in Baltimore after they drafted him No. 1 overall.
“It’s a lot of emotion. I spent my entire career there. I had a lot of unbelievable memories, made great friends for life. Tough goodbyes. But on to the next thing. I’m excited to be here and playing. It’s all part of the game. I’m excited to fit in where I can.”
More Red Sox coverage
- After Red Sox trade, who are updated top five prospects in the system?
- Red Sox reactions: Veteran earns first win in 2+ years; Caleb Durbin hits first grand slam
- Chad Tracy: Red Sox infielder ‘not pleased’ after being optioned; but roster decision ‘where we’re at right now’
- Red Sox injuries: Garrett Crochet begins throwing, Roman Anthony takes ‘another step’
- Here’s the Red Sox lineup vs. White Sox Tuesday with no trade additions starting
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