Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) might not be fully ready for the start of spring training in mid-February but should be ready to play close to a 162-game season in 2025. Mateo had UCL reconstructive surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow last year, causing him to be shut down for the remainder of the season. It sounds like the 29-year-old Dominican should have close to a full season next year, although his fantasy appeal will be limited in a utility infield role in Baltimore. Speed is the biggest attraction with Mateo, as he had 30-plus stolen bases in both 2022 and 2023. He was able to play in only 68 games in 2024 in his third full season with the team, finishing with a .229/.267/.401 slash line, below-average .668 OPS, five home runs, 18 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 30 runs scored in 208 plate appearances.
Grayson Rodriguez, Felix Bautista, Jorge Mateo Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training
Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (lat), relief pitcher Felix Bautista (elbow) and infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) will all be more or less full-go for the start of spring training next February. Rodriguez carries the most fantasy relevance of the trio as a high-end starting fantasy arm when healthy. The 24-year-old strained his right lat in early August and ran out of time to build his arm up and was unavailable in the Wild-Card series against the Royals this week. Rodriguez also missed some time with a shoulder injury in 2024. Bautista was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and saved 33 games, but he missed all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. When healthy, he should return as Baltimore's closer next year. Mateo had UCL reconstructive surgery on his left elbow in late August. If he returns fully healthy in 2025, he should settle into a utility role yet again for the O's.
The Baltimore Orioles transferred infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday. It's a fairly significant development for Mateo's return timetable as he begins a long recovery due to a left elbow subluxation, as it clears the way for incoming top prospect Jackson Holliday to receive regular at-bats at second base for the remainder of the regular season if he can maintain his roster spot in Baltimore after mashing at Triple-A Norfolk. Mateo's regular season is all but over at this point, as he won't be eligible to come off the IL until late September, but he still has time to make his way back and be an option for the O's as a pinch-runner and defensive specialist during the postseason in October. The 29-year-old speedster hit just .229 over 192 at-bats this year, but he did have 14 doubles, 30 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases in 68 outings.
Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that middle infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) will be out "a significant amount of time." "It's gonna be a while right now. It's so swollen and sore that it's gonna take some time trying to get the swelling out, and then he's gonna get some second opinions," Hyde said. Mateo was diagnosed with a left-elbow transient dislocation, leading to his placement on the 10-day injured list. One of the team's top prospects, Connor Norby, was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and is starting at second base and batting eighth in Thursday's series finale against the hosting Miami Marlins. Norby, 24, went just 3-for-14 (.214) with a homer and two RBI in his first four big-league games earlier this year, but his power/speed upside in a strong lineup should play in mixed fantasy leagues now that he'll have ample opportunity in a starting role this time around.
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jorge Mateo (elbow) exited Tuesday's game against the hosting Miami Marlins after injuring his left elbow on a collision with Gunnar Henderson going for a ball up the middle in the third inning. X-rays were negative on Mateo's elbow following the contest, but he's going to get further tests to determine the severity of the injury, manager Brandon Hyde said. Mateo's left arm appeared to get tangled with Henderson's legs, which put abnormal torque on his left arm, and he appeared to be in a significant amount of pain before departing. There's a chance the 29-year-old speedster, who has 13 stolen bases over 192 at-bats this year, may need a trip to the injured list, which leaves one to wonder if that would open a path for top prospect Jackson Holliday in Baltimore's infield. Fantasy managers would be wise to consider making a speculative add on Holliday ahead of Wednesday's matchup against Miami.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo was 1-for-3 with a three-run home run during Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Atlanta Braves. It was the 28-year-old's first game back from a stint on the seven-day concussion injured list. Mateo is slashing .248/.295/.470 with four homers, 16 RBI, 20 runs scored and 10 stolen bases this season. He has recorded 32+ steals in each of the past two seasons, which accounts for the bulk of his fantasy value. He is a viable depth option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues or AL-only formats now that he is back and healthy.
The Baltimore Orioles officially placed infielder Jorge Mateo (concussion) on the 7-day injured list. Mateo suffered the injury in Sunday's 4-3 loss when teammate Cedric Mullins accidentally hit the infielder in the head with a bat. The injury is a tough break for the Orioles second baseman, and he will now miss at least seven days on the injured list. The 28-year-old hasn't had a great season at the plate, as he is hitting just .246 with three home runs and 13 RBI this season. But Baltimore will surely miss his speed on the basepaths until he returns. In a corresponding move, the team called up Connor Norby, who figures to see some playing time in Mateo's place.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo (head) left Sunday's game in the fourth inning after he was struck in the head by teammate Cedric Mullins' bat in the on-deck circle. Ramon Urias pinch-hit for him as he exited the field with the training staff. It is unclear at this point what the injury actually is, but more info should come out after the game, and Mateo is likely to be put through the concussion protocols. Mateo is slashing .246/.294/.447 with three home runs, 13 RBI and 10 stolen bases this season. Urias is the likely option to replace Mateo at second base, although there is a slight chance top prospect Jackson Holliday could return to the majors if Mateo is out for an extended period.
Jorge Mateo Launches Three-Run Homer, Swipes Two Bags Thursday Night
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jorge Mateo filled the stat sheet Thursday night, going 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored while walking twice and swiping two bases in an 8-6 victory against the Chicago White Sox. The 28-year-old speedster has been inconsistent with the bat this season, batting .258 with only three home runs and nine RBI. He's picked it up in his last 10 games batting. 281 with one home run, five RBI, six runs scored, and four stolen bases. He remains at the bottom of the Orioles lineup with little chance of moving up soon. Mateo is only a deep-league add for fantasy managers desperately needing stolen bases.
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jorge Mateo turned in a big game in a 7-2 win over the New York Yankees on Thursday. Mateo went 1-for-2 with a homer and two RBI in the win over Baltimore's division rivals. He was also hit by a pitch in the win. Mateo's solo shot came in the fourth inning off Carlos Rodon and traveled 425 feet with an exit velocity of 105.5 MPH. The blast goes down as Mateo's first of the season, to go along with a .268 average, seven runs, three RBI, and four steals. Known more for his speed, Mateo has reached double-digit homers just once in his career, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect a power surge out of him in the coming weeks.
Jorge Mateo
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Orioles
