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.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Albert Suarez lost out in the battle for the No. 5 starting rotation spot to left-hander Cade Povich and will now begin the 2025 season in the bullpen, according to general manager Mike Elias. It doesn't mean that Suarez won't be starting games for Baltimore this year, but his minimal fantasy value will take a hit in AL-only leagues to begin the season. The 35-year-old veteran appeared in a career-high 32 games (24 starts) a year ago and went 9-7 with a career-best 3.70 ERA (4.24 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 108 strikeouts and 43 walks in 133 2/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in AL-only leagues certainly shouldn't expect that kind of volume in 2025 in his second year in Baltimore. He figures to make most of his appearances this year in a long-relief role, but he'll still be a valuable swingman for the O's.

Baltimore Orioles left-hander Cade Povich will open the 2025 regular season as the team's No. 5 starter and will start the home opener on March 31 against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, according to general manager Mike Elias. Povich beat out right-hander Albert Suarez for the final spot in the starting rotation by posting a 3.07 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 15 strikeouts and four walks in 14 2/3 Grapefruit League innings. The 24-year-old southpaw gets an opportunity in the rotation to start the year thanks to the injury to right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow), who doesn't have a timetable to make his season debut due to elbow inflammation. As a rookie in 2024, Povich went 3-9 with a 5.20 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 69 K's and 34 walks in 79 2/3 frames over 16 starts. The former third-rounder will probably continue to be a work in progress, but he has room for growth and will be an option in AL-only leagues.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (intercostal) will start the season on the injured list, according to general manager Mike Elias. It's a bummer for the breakout All-Star from a season ago, but the good news is that Elias thinks this will result in Henderson only missing days, not weeks. At the minimum, Henderson will only have to miss the first seven days of the 2025 season. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter suffered an intercostal strain in late February and never returned to spring training action, so fantasy managers shouldn't exactly be surprised by this news. Despite the injury, Henderson was still likely taken in the first round in most fantasy drafts after the monster year he had in 2024. With Henderson starting on the IL, Jackson Holliday is expected to start at the 6 on Opening Day, with Ramon Urias starting at second base.

Toronto Blue Jays outfield prospect Alan Roden has made the team's Opening Day roster out of spring training, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Roden, a 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2022 out of Creighton University, will be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game to open the 2025 season. He has an opportunity to serve in a reserve role off Toronto's bench early on with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) opening the year on the injured list. However, with Varsho not far off from a return, Roden's stay in the big leagues could be a short one. The club's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, impressed with a .391 average (9-for-23) with two doubles and two home runs in 18 Grapefruit League games. He posted strong contact rates and on-base percentage in the minors, and while he can play all three outfield positions, his future is likely at a corner spot in Toronto.