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The Baltimore Orioles catching group has dealt with plenty of big setbacks this year. Breakout rookie Samuel Basallo has avoided the injured list but has dealt with a string of minor injury scares, including left wrist discomfort as recently as June and some left knee issues as well.
Two-time All-Star backstop Adley Rutschman has dealt with more serious setbacks, landing on the 10-day injured list back in April due to left ankle inflammation and then suffering a concussion after being hit in the head by an errant throw in June that forced him to miss several games.
As a result, the Orioles have had to rely on some unorthodox options behind the plate. One of them has been journeyman Sam Huff, who has served as the third-string catcher and been called up each time Rutschman hit the injured list. Huff previously suited up for the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants before joining Baltimore on a minor league deal this season.
He has made nine appearances this year and although he has struggled at the plate, posting a .174 batting average, .174 on-base percentage and .435 OPS, he has done what the Orioles needed most, which is manage the pitching staff and provide a capable option behind the plate.
Huff was designated for assignment earlier this week in a roster move as the Orioles no longer needed three catchers on the depth chart. He cleared waivers and elected free agency, but he had no interest in going elsewhere.
"The Orioles have re-signed catcher Sam Huff to a minor league contract, Triple-A Norfolk announced," reported Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun.
This is not the first time Huff has gone through this process with Baltimore this year, and it appears he is committed to the organization for now.
The Orioles also designated catcher Chadwick Tromp for assignment on Friday, which likely gave Huff additional motivation to return given that he is now the next man up once again if either Rutschman or Basallo goes down.
For a Baltimore team that has leaned heavily on its catching depth this season, having a reliable option like Huff available at Triple-A Norfolk provides a layer of insurance that the organization clearly values.
It is a quiet move, but given everything this catching group has been through in 2026, it is the kind of depth decision that could matter more than it looks on paper.
Continue reading...
Two-time All-Star backstop Adley Rutschman has dealt with more serious setbacks, landing on the 10-day injured list back in April due to left ankle inflammation and then suffering a concussion after being hit in the head by an errant throw in June that forced him to miss several games.
As a result, the Orioles have had to rely on some unorthodox options behind the plate. One of them has been journeyman Sam Huff, who has served as the third-string catcher and been called up each time Rutschman hit the injured list. Huff previously suited up for the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants before joining Baltimore on a minor league deal this season.
He has made nine appearances this year and although he has struggled at the plate, posting a .174 batting average, .174 on-base percentage and .435 OPS, he has done what the Orioles needed most, which is manage the pitching staff and provide a capable option behind the plate.
Huff was designated for assignment earlier this week in a roster move as the Orioles no longer needed three catchers on the depth chart. He cleared waivers and elected free agency, but he had no interest in going elsewhere.
"The Orioles have re-signed catcher Sam Huff to a minor league contract, Triple-A Norfolk announced," reported Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun.
This is not the first time Huff has gone through this process with Baltimore this year, and it appears he is committed to the organization for now.
The Orioles also designated catcher Chadwick Tromp for assignment on Friday, which likely gave Huff additional motivation to return given that he is now the next man up once again if either Rutschman or Basallo goes down.
For a Baltimore team that has leaned heavily on its catching depth this season, having a reliable option like Huff available at Triple-A Norfolk provides a layer of insurance that the organization clearly values.
It is a quiet move, but given everything this catching group has been through in 2026, it is the kind of depth decision that could matter more than it looks on paper.
Continue reading...
