Orioles' Kyle Bradish: Expected back around midseason
Rotowire
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that the team is counting on Bradish (elbow) returning around midseason, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.
Bradish underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace in mid-June. Elias had said previously that he expected the pitcher to require 12-to-18 months to rehab, so a midseason return would be on the short end of that timeline. Bradish has yet to begin a throwing program.
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Orioles' Tyler Wells: Midseason return expected
Rotowire
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that he expects Wells (elbow) to return by midseason, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.
Wells underwent a UCL revision and internal brace augmentation surgery on his right elbow in mid-June. While he was able to avoid a second Tommy John surgery, he's still expected to need at least 12 months or so to rehab. Elias did not indicate what Wells' role would be in 2025 when he does return.
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Orioles' Jorge Mateo: Could be limited in spring training
Rotowire
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Mateo (elbow) might not be fully recovered for the start of spring training, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
That contradicts what Elias said in October about Mateo's recovery from UCL reconstruction surgery on his left (non-throwing) elbow, although the revised timeline does not seem to be the result of a setback. Elias did add that he expected Mateo to be ready for close to a full 162-game schedule. The veteran infielder is slated for a utility role with the Orioles in 2025.
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Orioles' Grayson Rodriguez: Fully recovered from lat injury
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Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Rodriguez is completely recovered from his right lat strain and will enter spring training without restrictions, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Rodriguez missed the final two months of the regular season, as well as the playoffs, due to the injury, but he had resumed throwing off a mound by September and should have a normal offseason. The right-hander finished the 2024 campaign with a 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 130:36 K:BB over 116.2 innings covering 20 starts.
Orioles' Robinson Martinez: Joins O's on MiLB deal
Rotowire
Martinez signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Thursday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Martinez turned in a 3.15 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 20 innings at Double-A in 2022, but injuries have prevented him from appearing in a game since then. Considering how long he's been out, the 26-year-old reliever may report to Double-A Bowie to begin the 2025 season, though a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk is also possible.
The Orioles signed Machin to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
Machin, 31, played in the Mexican League in 2024, slashing a ridiculous .401/.495/.579 with seven homers in 85 games. The utility player hit .208/.290/.261 over parts of three seasons with the Athletics from 2020-22.
Orioles' Luis Gonzalez: Contract selected by Baltimore
Rotowire
The Orioles selected Gonzalez's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Gonzalez spent the entire 2024 regular season in Norfolk. Across 44 outings, he posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 60 innings. Gonzalez will compete for a spot on the Orioles' major-league roster during spring training.
The Orioles claimed Ward off waivers from the Nationals on Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Ward, who turns 28 in January, spent all of this season at Triple-A Rochester, posting a 5.64 ERA and 107:94 K:BB over 119.2 innings. He will likely begin 2025 as rotation depth at Triple-A Norfolk.
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Orioles' Rene Pinto: Claimed by Baltimore
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The Orioles claimed Pinto off waivers from the Rays on Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Pinto began the 2024 season as the Rays' starting catcher but was sent down in early May after a slow start and was never recalled. The 28-year-old has hit .231/.263/.404 with 10 home runs over 82 games at the big-league level. Baltimore has an opening at backup catcher and Pinto will be a candidate to fill it.
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Orioles' Seranthony Dominguez: Option for 2025 exercised
Rotowire
The Orioles exercised Dominguez's $8 million club option for 2025 on Monday.
Dominguez collected a 3.97 ERA and 28:9 K:BB over 22.2 innings while notching 10 saves down the stretch of the regular season for the Orioles after being acquired from the Phillies via trade. While Dominguez finished the 2024 season as Baltimore's closer, Felix Bautista (elbow) should reclaim that job in 2025.
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Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn: $8 million club option exercised
Rotowire
The Orioles exercised O'Hearn's $8 million club option for 2025 on Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
O'Hearn made $3.5 million in 2024, so he will be getting a nice salary bump in 2025. The 31-year-old has slashed .275/.329/.450 with 29 home runs over 254 regular-season games during his two years in Baltimore. He'll garner regular playing time against right-handed pitching again next season.
