Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) will make his 2025 debut on Friday against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Kevin Gausman, starting at shortstop and batting ninth. Jackson Holliday, who started at the 6 on Opening Day on Thursday, will slide back over to second base, with Ramon Urias starting on the bench. Jordan Westburg will start at third base and bat third. Mateo, 29, only played in five spring training games after having UCL reconstruction on his left (non-throwing) elbow in the offseason, and he went 1-for-11 with an RBI, two walks and five strikeouts in Grapefruit League play. He entered Thursday's Opening Day win over Toronto as a defensive replacement but didn't make a plate appearance. Given his lack of spring action and the fact he's hit .125 in eight career at-bats against Gausman, Mateo is one to avoid in DFS lineups on Friday.
The Baltimore Sun's Matt Weyrich reports that Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) is not included on the team's Opening Day roster and doesn't have a locker in the clubhouse at Rogers Centre for the game on Thursday versus the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. Mateo was always seen as doubtful to be ready for Opening Day after having UCL reconstruction on his elbow last August. Until the 29-year-old is ready to rejoin Baltimore's active roster, Livan Soto will serve as a utility infielder for the O's. Mateo led the league with 35 stolen bases in 2022 and also stole 32 bags in 2023, but he'll be relegated to a bench role whenever he's fully healthy, giving him very little fantasy appeal. In 68 games in 2024 in his third full year with the team, he hit .229/.267/.401 with five homers, 18 RBI, 13 steals and 30 runs scored in 208 plate appearances.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) is staying in Florida to get additional at-bats in camp and isn't being ruled out for Opening Day on Thursday just yet, according to general manager Mike Elias. Mateo was cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut in mid-March and has gone 1-for-8 with an RBI, walk and four strikeouts in four spring games, but the 29-year-old should probably still be considered doubtful to be ready for Opening Day after undergoing UCL reconstruction on his left (non-throwing) elbow in late August of last year. The Dominican infielder led the league with 35 stolen bases in 2022 and then stole another 32 bags in 2023, but regular playing time won't be afforded to him when he's healthy, making in avoidable in all mixed fantasy leagues in 2025.
Jorge Mateo Could Make Spring Debut Soon, Still Doubtful For Opening Day
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) could get into some Grapefruit League games soon, but it will take him some time to ramp up and he remains doubtful to be ready for Opening Day, according to manager Brandon Hyde. It's good news that Mateo has progressed to the point where he's close to being cleared to play in games, but he'll almost certainly begin the 2025 regular season on the injured list after he had reconstruction surgery on his right UCL in his left (non-throwing) elbow. It helps that the surgery wasn't to his throwing arm, but Mateo still won't be ready for the start of the season and will merely be a bench infielder for the Orioles once he's ready to make his season debut. The 29-year-old Dominican led the league with 35 stolen bases in 2022 and also stole 32 bags in 2023, but he's never hit for average and isn't guaranteed that type of playing time again.
Jorge Mateo Progressing, Not Close To Playing In Games
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) has been progressing through his recovery plan but is still a "ways away" from returning to game action. Mateo went through a full workout on Monday. He took groundballs and was swinging a bat in the cage. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could be approaching a return to the lineup if he does not face any setbacks. Mateo is recovering from UCL reconstruction surgery on his left elbow. Last season, the 29-year-old appeared in just 68 contests for Baltimore and held a .229/.267/.401 slash line. He tallied 14 doubles, five home runs, and swiped 13 bags. During the 2023 season, Mateo swiped 32 bags and held a .217/.267/.340 line. When healthy, he will likely be deployed as a depth option in the Baltimore infield.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) is progressing well in his recovery but is still a "long shot" to be ready for Opening Day. Mateo has begun hitting in the batting cage but still has several steps to progress through before being cleared for action. The 29-year-old underwent UCL reconstruction surgery on his left elbow last August. Across 68 contests last season, Mateo posted a .229/.267/.401 slash line with 14 doubles and five home runs. He swiped just 13 bags but placed in the 99th percentile in sprint speed. During the 2023 campaign, Mateo appeared in 116 contests and held a .217/.267/.340 slash line with 14 doubles, seven long balls, and 32 swiped bags. When Mateo is healthy, he will likely operate as a depth option in the Baltimore infield. While he is sidelined, Ramon Urias could have an increased role as a utility option in the infield.
MASN's Roch Kubatko reports that Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) will not be ready for Opening Day this year. Mateo had UCL reconstruction on his left (non-throwing) elbow last year and will not be ready in time when regular-season games kick off at the end of March. The 29-year-old is reportedly doing well in his recovery, but the O's will play it safe with him and will hold him back from playing in Grapefruit League games initially. The Dominican infielder stole 30-plus bases in each of the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Baltimore, but he ended up playing in only 68 games last year, and his stolen base numbers dipped to just 13 in 208 plate appearances. Speed is obviously Mateo's biggest fantasy asset, but when healthy, he's just not going to see enough playing time in Baltimore to make him worth a roster spot in 12-team mixed leagues.
Jorge Mateo Will Not Be Fully Healthy Entering Spring Training
According to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) is not expected to be "100 percent" during spring training. Kubatko noted that he has begun ramping up but could be in danger of not making the Opening Day roster, given his injury. Mateo underwent UCL reconstruction surgery in his non-throwing arm and was only able to appear in 68 games last season. During this stretch, the 29-year-old posted a .229/.267/.401 line with five home runs and 13 stolen bases. Under the hood, he generated a poor .271 xwOBA. He saw most of his starts at the keystone but did log a handful of starts at shortstop and outfield. In 2023, Mateo posted a .217/.267/.340 line with seven home runs and 32 stolen bases. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect Mateo to operate as a depth option in the Baltimore infield.
According to the team, the Baltimore Orioles and infielder Jorge Mateo have come to an agreement on a one-year deal with a club option for 2026 to avoid arbitration. The 29-year-old infielder is still recovering from a UCL surgery on his non-throwing arm and could potentially be limited during spring training. Last season, Mateo was deployed as a rotational piece and appeared in 68 games. Across this stint, Mateo posted a .229/.267/.401 line with 14 doubles, five home runs, and 13 stolen bases. In 113 games at the major league level in 2023, Mateo swiped an impressive 32 bags with a .217/.267/.340 line. Fantasy managers should expect Mateo to have a similar role in 2025. He could be worth a look in AL-only formats, given his upside for stolen base production, as he placed in the 99th percentile in sprint speed last season.
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.
Jorge Mateo
• SS
•
Orioles
