Orioles' Grayson Rodriguez: Will be ready for spring training
Rotowire
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that he expects Rodriguez (lat) to more or less by without restrictions at the beginning of spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Rodriguez sustained a right lat strain in early August and was eventually shut down in late September after it became apparent he wasn't going to make it back for the regular or postseason. He should be able to have a relatively normal throwing program during the offseason, though health concerns could linger given how much time he missed in 2024.
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Orioles' Jorge Mateo: Expected to be ready for spring
Rotowire
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that he expects Mateo (elbow) to more or less be full go for the start of spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Mateo required UCL reconstruction surgery on his left elbow in late August for an injury he initially suffered in late July. Because the operation was on his non-throwing elbow, it significantly reduces the recovery time. Mateo is eligible for arbitration for a final time this winter and should be back in a utility role for the Orioles in 2025.
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Orioles' Felix Bautista: Expected to be full go in spring
Rotowire
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that he expects Bautista (elbow) to more or less be without restrictions at the start of spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Bautista started throwing off the mound in August and will be 16 months removed from Tommy John surgery by February. As long as he looks good during Grapefruit League play, he should regain the closer role for Baltimore heading into 2025. Bautista posted a 1.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 110:26 K:BB over 61 innings while notching 33 saves in 2023.
Cowser was diagnosed with a left hand fracture after Wednesday's loss to the Royals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
The Orioles' loss Wednesday eliminated them from the postseason, so Cowser will have plenty of time to recover before the start of spring training in February. The 24-year-old slashed .242/.321/.447 with 24 homers and 69 RBI across 153 games in the regular season and figures to remain in Baltimore's outfield plans for 2025.
Cowser was removed from Wednesday's game against the Royals due to pain in his left hand, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Cowser suffered the injury while striking out swinging at a pitch that hit him in the hand during the fifth inning. He was able to take the field once the O's went on defense to begin the sixth, but he was eventually replaced in left field by Heston Kjerstad to start the seventh. Cowser's willingness to remain in the game immediately after the injury is a positive sign, though his status for a potential Game 3 of the wild-card round is unclear.
Eflin will start Wednesday in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Royals, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
The Orioles dropped the first game of the series against the Royals on Tuesday, losing 1-0. Eflin did not have his strongest outing in his final start of the regular season Wednesday, giving up three runs on four hits and five walks across 4.2 innings. With a week of rest under his belt, the 30-year old will look to rebound in order to force Game 3.
