The Baltimore Orioles received some good news on backup catcher Gary Sanchez’s injury, and his return could come sooner than expected.
The Baltimore Orioles have struggled in 2025, falling near the bottom of the AL East after several strong seasons near the top. Still, there was a bit of good news this week: backup catcher Gary Sánchez and outfielder Tyler O’Neill were both sent on rehab assignments, signaling potential returns from injury.
On Thursday, Gary Sánchez’s recovery showed encouraging progress. According to MASN’s Roch Kubatko, the veteran catcher could rejoin the Orioles as soon as their weekend series against the Detroit Tigers.
“Sounds like Gary Sánchez could come off IL this weekend instead of during the road trip,” MASN’s Roch Kubatko posted on social media.
Sánchez’s return would give bench coach Fredi González (filling in for Brandon Hyde) and catching coach Tim Cossins an option to ease the workload on Adley Rutschman, who has started 61 of Baltimore’s 66 games this season behind the plate.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73930733/2200675172.0.jpg)
The 32-year-old catcher hasn’t appeared in a game for the Orioles since April 27, sidelined by a wrist injury that cut short one of the roughest starts of his career. In 12 games this season, Sánchez is hitting just .100, with no doubles or home runs—a sharp contrast to his track record of hitting at least 10 homers in nine of his ten MLB seasons.
Manager Tony Mansolino, who took over for Brandon Hyde, is doing his part to steer the team back on course. Under his leadership, the Orioles have won seven of their last 10 games and 11 of their last 16, signaling a much-needed turnaround.
Both Sánchez and O’Neill have struggled to find their form this season, but their time on the injured list might offer the reset they need. With a challenging series against Detroit looming, Sánchez could make his return this weekend—and potentially deliver a much-needed spark for Baltimore if he can rediscover his swing and make an impact.
