Jorge Mateo's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

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.

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.