March 23, 2025
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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
March 14, 2025
Baltimore Orioles infielder
Jorge Mateo (elbow) could get into some Grapefruit League games soon, but it will take him some time to ramp up and he remains doubtful to be ready for Opening Day, according to manager Brandon Hyde. It's good news that Mateo has progressed to the point where he's close to being cleared to play in games, but he'll almost certainly begin the 2025 regular season on the injured list after he had reconstruction surgery on his right UCL in his left (non-throwing) elbow. It helps that the surgery wasn't to his throwing arm, but Mateo still won't be ready for the start of the season and will merely be a bench infielder for the Orioles once he's ready to make his season debut. The 29-year-old Dominican led the league with 35 stolen bases in 2022 and also stole 32 bags in 2023, but he's never hit for average and isn't guaranteed that type of playing time again.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Banner - Danielle Allentuck
March 10, 2025
Baltimore Orioles infielder
Jorge Mateo (elbow) has been progressing through his recovery plan but is still a "ways away" from returning to game action. Mateo went through a full workout on Monday. He took groundballs and was swinging a bat in the cage. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could be approaching a return to the lineup if he does not face any setbacks. Mateo is recovering from UCL reconstruction surgery on his left elbow. Last season, the 29-year-old appeared in just 68 contests for Baltimore and held a .229/.267/.401 slash line. He tallied 14 doubles, five home runs, and swiped 13 bags. During the 2023 season, Mateo swiped 32 bags and held a .217/.267/.340 line. When healthy, he will likely be deployed as a depth option in the Baltimore infield.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Roch Kubatko
March 7, 2025
Baltimore Orioles infielder
Jorge Mateo (elbow) is progressing well in his recovery but is still a "long shot" to be ready for Opening Day. Mateo has begun hitting in the batting cage but still has several steps to progress through before being cleared for action. The 29-year-old underwent UCL reconstruction surgery on his left elbow last August. Across 68 contests last season, Mateo posted a .229/.267/.401 slash line with 14 doubles and five home runs. He swiped just 13 bags but placed in the 99th percentile in sprint speed. During the 2023 campaign, Mateo appeared in 116 contests and held a .217/.267/.340 slash line with 14 doubles, seven long balls, and 32 swiped bags. When Mateo is healthy, he will likely operate as a depth option in the Baltimore infield. While he is sidelined,
Ramon Urias could have an increased role as a utility option in the infield.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Matt Weyrich
RADIO
