MLB Player News

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.

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.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Urquidy (elbow) is projected to return in late July next season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Urquidy underwent his second Tommy John surgery in June, so a return in a little over a year would be aggressive. Of course, any timetable at this juncture of recovery is a rough approximation. Urquidy is arbitration eligible for a final time this offseason, and it would seem as though the Astros plan to tender him a contract for 2025.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Javier (elbow) is projected to return in late July of next season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's an ambitious timeline considering Javier underwent Tommy John surgery in June. Any projected timetable at this stage of rehab is approximate, but it does appear Brown expects Javier to have a good shot to contribute shortly after the All-Star break next season.

Verlander said Wednesday that he plans to continue his major-league career in 2025, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander -- who will turn 42 in February -- battled through a disappointing 2024 season, finishing with a 5.48 ERA and 74:27 K:BB over 90.1 innings covering 17 starts before being left off the Astros wild-card roster. He began the year on the injured list with a shoulder problem and also missed substantial time with a neck issue, an injury which he has indicated he might have come back too soon from and could have affected his performance. Given his age and the season he just had, Verlander will enter free agency with question marks, but he shouldn't have trouble finding a team willing to take a shot on a bounce-back showing in 2025.

Ragans (calf) will start Monday in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ragans exited his wild-card series start versus the Orioles after six shutout innings due to left calf cramps, but his readiness for the start of the ALDS doesn't seem to be in question. The left-handed Ragans -- who will be pitching on five days' rest -- will be preceded by Michael Wacha in Game 1.

Wacha will start Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Yankees, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wacha had been lined up for Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series, but with the Royals completing a two-game sweep of the Orioles, the righty will be held back for the ALDS opener. He'll be opposed by Gerrit Cole.

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.

Lorenzen (lower body) struck out three and allowed an unearned run on one hit in two innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Atlanta.

Lorenzen made his final start of the regular season last Wednesday, when he tossed two-plus innings against the Nationals before leaving early due to lower-body fatigue. He made his return to action out of the bullpen a few days later, with the clean appearance assuaging any concerns about his health. He was included on the Royals' 26-man wild-card roster but went unused during the club's two-game sweep of the Orioles.

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.