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.

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.