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.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo is on the bench for Monday's contest against the visiting Kansas City Royals. The middle infielder went 1-for-2 with a strikeout in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels before being lifted for the lefty-swinging Tony Kemp. Mateo got off to a strong start last season but struggled mightily afterward and finished with a .217 batting average alongside seven home runs across 116 appearances. He did steal 32 bases, however, but is in line to see much less playing time this season, as indicated by his six plate appearances through his team's first three games this season. He boasts plenty of speed but his lack of playing time leaves him well off the fantasy radar in the 2024 campaign.
Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said earlier this month that infielder Jorge Mateo would get a good bit of time in center field this spring, and manager Brandon Hyde noted on Monday that Mateo also worked at second base over the winter. "We're going to keep our options open with him. He really increases the versatility we have on this club," Hyde said. The Orioles are planning for the eventual debut of top prospect Jackson Holliday, who actually has a chance to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training. The 28-year-old Mateo has seen most of his playing time at shortstop in his time with the O's, but he may need to find his footing elsewhere on the diamond to stay in their lineup. Mateo's bat doesn't do fantasy managers any favors, but he's useful for his speed (67 steals in the last two years) in deeper fantasy leagues.
Aaron Hicks, Jorge Mateo Taking A Seat For Game 3 Tuesday
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Aaron Hicks and shortstop Jorge Mateo will both be on the bench to start Tuesday's ALDS Game 3 versus the Texas Rangers. The switch-hitting Hicks and righty-swinging Mateo got the start in Game 2 versus left-hander Jordan Montgomery but will retreat to the bench with right-hander Nathan Eovaldi toeing the rubber for Texas on Tuesday. Hicks notched a two-run single the first inning in Sunday's Game 2 before clubbing a three-run homer in the ninth while Mateo had quite the game himself, going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles, an RBI, and a run scored despite the Orioles going down 11-8. Anthony Santander will take over for Hicks in right field while Gunnar Henderson returns to shortstop in place of Mateo on Tuesday.
