Jorge Mateo DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.