Orioles News: Rutschman's hot stretch, lineup nearing full strength, MiLB no-hitter

Despite losing a series to the Athletics over the weekend, the Baltimore Orioles are playing their best baseball of the season. As the O's return to Baltimore for their first homestand of June, confidence is building in the clubhouse. Some Orioles stars, Adley Rutschman in particular, are regaining their swagger.

The All-Star catcher is knocking the cover off the ball since he missed a few games after taking a foul ball off the mask. Rutschman already has 10 hits in June through six games, including two home runs. He entered the month with a .203 batting average for the season. It's up to .227 after his scorching week.

Rutschman made consistent contact throughout the week. He struck out only three times in his last 31 plate appearances. Rutschman's chase and whiff rates are in the 93rd percentile per Statcast, proving he's among the most disciplined hitters in the league.

Baltimore's backstop might not make this year's Midsummer Classic, but he's heating up and helping propel the offense. Typically, the O's prevail when Rutschman is clicking at the plate. Look no further than the first week of June for that statement to be true.

Orioles expecting reinforcements as Tigers, Angels come to town

Injuries have been a constant misfortune for the Orioles this season. After this week, perhaps the ailments will belong to the past. Baltimore is expecting multiple position players to return from injury during the homestand.

Third baseman Jordan Westburg will likely be activated before Tuesday's series opener against the Detroit Tigers. The 2024 All-Star is raking during his minor league rehab assignment and looks poised to return to the big leagues with a bang. Westburg recorded five extra-base hits, four RBIs, and six runs scored in his last five games with Triple-A Norfolk.

Tyler O'Neill and Gary Sanchez began rehab assignments last week and are on track to return within the next week. Sanchez is closer to coming back and is swinging a hot stick in Triple-A. He had five hits, two home runs, and four RBIs in his first four rehab games. He'll take over reserve catching duties from Maverick Handley.

Cedric Mullins might not need a rehab assignment for his right hamstring strain that's kept him out since May 29. He took live batting practice Sunday and is eligible to return. The O's will have him back this week, barring any setbacks.

Norfolk Tides throw combined no-hitter

An awesome occurrence happened during Sunday's Norfolk Tides game, a 4-0 win over the Louisville Bats. In a seven-inning game, the second game of a doubleheader, five Tides pitchers threw a combined no-hitter, blanking the Bats to earn the team's first series win of the season.

All five pitchers have big-league experience and threw seven hitless innings with only two walks. The Tides struck out 10 batters, including seven from the bullpen. Roansy Contreras, who holds a career 4.35 ERA in 90 MLB appearances, started the game for the Tides and struck out three.

Contreras has a 4.63 ERA across 35 innings in Triple-A, but that number dips to 2.07 in his four starts. He struck out 13 and walked four in the starts, although his longest outing is four innings. Perhaps he is a name to watch if the Orioles need long relief help.

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