For the Baltimore Orioles, it was one of the moments where time almost stood still! In the third inning of Sunday’s clash between the Orioles and the Boston Red Sox, things took a scary turn when Adley Rutschman, the heart and soul of the team, took a vicious foul ball directly to the mask. Rafael Devers, who is known for his heavy swings, just nicked a pitch from Dean Kremer, and the ball went straight back to Rutschman’s face. And he didn’t have any time to react or to brace.

The impact was immediate! Rutschman slightly slumped. He was clearly shaken, and was grabbing his head. But he didn’t exit the game.

Rutschman stayed in the game, finishing catching the third, and even returned for the fourth inning. But then an uneasiness sank in the crowd, with many fearing the worst. Then came the moment many feared.

When his spot came up in the fifth, Rutschman, who is on a 1-year, $5.5M contract with the Orioles, didn’t come out. Instead, Maverick Handley, the backup catcher, stepped into the role. Not long after, the team announced that Rutschman was out of the game after taking that foul ball.

Right now, according to the Baltimore Sun, there is no news of any injury designation, nor any mention of concussion protocol. So even the silence is making the entire thing rather ominous.

For the Baltimore Orioles fans, this is such a brutal reality they have to face. This is a $5.5 million cornerstone player and a leader both behind the plate and in the clubhouse. They cannot afford to lose him, not now when they are in the thick of the season and have already been struggling with injuries.

Everyone is hoping that this move by the Baltimore Orioles was just precautionary. Until further notice, though, all Orioles fans can do is wait and cross their fingers. Meanwhile, the team is looking to make a move.

Baltimore Orioles eye former player-manager role

Honestly, though, waiting, hoping, and wondering what went wrong has been the theme for the Baltimore Orioles this season. After all the promise and hype leading up to the year, they have stumbled out of the gate with a 15-28 start. This has led them to sack Brandon Hyde, the manager, and in his place, Tony Mansolino came in to hold the fort. But he is only the interim skipper, so the big question is—what happens next?

Well, there is one name that is floating at the top of the list for the next full manager, and it’s a name many Orioles fans are well aware of—Ryan Flaherty. The same guy who wore the orange and black as a utility man and then went on to grind six seasons with Baltimore. And now Flaherty could circle back to the very team where his MLB journey began.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, if the Orioles go for another manager hunt this winter, Flaherty is very much going to be the frontrunner.

Since returning, Flaherty has made quite a name as a coach for first the San Diego Padres and now the Chicago Cubs, where he is a bench coach. Plus, here is the kicker—did you know that Flaherty also has blood ties to Baltimore? Yes!

He is married to Nick Markakis’ sister! Talk about having Orioles in his DNA. So, do you think Flaherty will make his way back to his old team? Let us know in the comments below!