As the Orioles prepare for spring training and the 2025 MLB season, they’ve received promising news about several key players recovering from injuries. After a 2024 season hindered by major setbacks, these updates offer hope that the team could return to full strength, positioning them to compete in the American League.
One of the most notable updates is regarding star closer Félix Bautista, who missed all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery after leaving a game against Colorado in August 2023, just one strike away from a win. A recent report from The Baltimore Sun suggests that Bautista is on track to be ready for Opening Day. The Orioles plan to gradually ease him back into action during spring training, making sure not to rush his recovery so he can return to his All-Star form. His comeback would be a huge boost to a bullpen that faced challenges last season.
Starting pitcher Kyle Bradish, an important part of the rotation, tried to play through early elbow pain last year but eventually had to undergo Tommy John surgery in June. While his recovery is expected to extend into the second half of 2025, the team is hopeful about his progress. It’s unlikely Bradish will return before the All-Star break, but his rehab is moving forward as planned.
Tyler Wells, who had right UCL repair surgery (an “internal brace” procedure rather than full Tommy John surgery), is also aiming for a mid-2025 return. There’s a possibility he could be back before the All-Star break. His return would offer the team added flexibility, either in the rotation or the bullpen—both of which were hit hard by injuries in 2024. Personally, I think he’d be best suited for a bullpen role; his intense demeanor seems like a natural fit for high-leverage, late-inning situations.
Jorge Mateo, who is recovering from left UCL reconstruction surgery following a collision with Gunnar Henderson, is also on the mend. Mateo won’t be ready for Opening Day, but his return should come sooner rather than later.
Mateo’s speed and defensive flexibility make him a key asset, and the Orioles are optimistic that he’ll be able to contribute early in the season.
General manager Mike Elias shared more positive news, with comments reported by MASNSports.com and ESPN, indicating that Bautista, Rodriguez, and Mateo are expected to be “more or less full go” by the start of spring training, with few or no significant restrictions. This includes Grayson Rodriguez, who battled a lat injury in August 2024 but is now expected to return to his role as a key starter without limitations.
The Orioles’ injury struggles in 2024, which saw 12 players on the injured list at one point in August, highlighted just how crucial depth and health are to their success. It was a tough season, to say the least.
As the team prepares to open spring training in Sarasota, Florida, these updates bring much-needed optimism. Manager Brandon Hyde and the front office will take a cautious approach with rehab to ensure long-term health, but having Bautista, Mateo, and eventually Bradish and Wells back on the roster strengthens Baltimore’s outlook for 2025. With a talented young core and a reinvigorated roster, the Orioles are determined to push through their injury setbacks and make a strong run for the postseason.
