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Red Sox catcher Rutschman begins rehab, eyes wild-card push

8/8/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Adley Rutschman will start a rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Worcester, catching five innings.
He has been on a 10-day injured list since July 18 with left-wrist inflammation after Boston acquired him from Baltimore before July 31, 2026 deadline.
Chad Tracy said Rutschman is “close” to returning, and while Rutschman rehabs Connor Wong remains the primary catcher as Boston, now 63-51, trails the Yankees by half a game for AL wild-card.

History

Historical Context

In 2004 the Boston Red Sox broke an 86-year “Curse of the Bambino,” winning the World Series as a wild-card team after the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVIII, giving Boston its first dual championship since 1979. The 2026 IL for catcher Adley Rutschman and Connor Wong’s emergence mirror the 2004 reliance on backup Jason Varitek after his wrist sprain, showing how injuries reshape the wild-card race.

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Story summary

Adley Rutschman will start a rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Worcester, catching five innings.
He has been on a 10-day injured list since July 18 with left-wrist inflammation after Boston acquired him from Baltimore before July 31, 2026 deadline.
Chad Tracy said Rutschman is “close” to returning, and while Rutschman rehabs Connor Wong remains the primary catcher as Boston, now 63-51, trails the Yankees by half a game for AL wild-card.

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