Orioles add catching depth ahead of final game with Diamondbacks

Orioles add catching depth ahead of final game with Diamondbacks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baltimore Orioles roster has seen a few roster changes over the past week, as injuries have taken their toll. Catcher Adley Rutschman is the latest Orioles player to hit the injured list with left ankle inflammation on April 11.

Due to his injury, catcher Samuel Basallo will be the primary option to fill in behind the dish for manager Craig Albernaz. However, ahead of their series finale with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Orioles added some catching depth to help Basallo out.

The Baltimore Orioles add a veteran catcher to provide support for Samuel Basallo

According to the Orioles on X, they have selected the contract of catcher Sam Huff from Triple-A Norfolk to be Basallo’s backup. In nine games at Norfolk, the 28-year-old was hitting .156 with a .438 OPS.

A veteran of parts of five big league seasons, Huff played in 20 games for the San Francisco Giants last season, hitting .208 with a .598 OPS.

To make room for Huff on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated left-hander Jayvien Sandridge for assignment, and optioned left-hander Nick Raquet to Triple-A.

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Raquet, 30, appeared in two games for the Orioles, having a 16.20 ERA, while Sandridge, 27, made two appearances and allowed no earned runs in Triple-A.

The Orioles expect Rutschman to be back by the end of April, but having Huff provide Basallo with a backup in the meantime will prove to be valuable. Basallo has also played five games as the Orioles designated hitter and one at first base.

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