TORONTO—Jorge Mateo’s recovery from last August’s Tommy John surgery is complete, and he’s on the Orioles’ Opening Day roster. On Wednesday, Mateo didn’t have a locker in the Orioles’ clubhouse at Rogers Centre. On Thursday, infielder Liván Soto, who had one the day before, didn’t have one.
“I was preparing myself in spring training to try to be here for the first day,” Mateo said through a team translator. “I feel really good right now, Thank God, and I feel ready to compete, which is the important thing.”
Manager Brandon Hyde was skeptical that Mateo could be ready for the opener.
“At the beginning of camp, I thought it was doubtful,” Hyde said. “Just because he hadn’t done a whole lot. Still some rehab left to accomplish. We got him a lot of at-bats the last seven to 10 days. He played a lot of shortstop, a lot of second base, stuff that people didn’t see.
“I thought it was getting closer to being an option and breaking with us a few days ago, and then the last few days, he played a lot defensively and recovered really, really well and made the decision to have him start with us.”
Mateo played in five Grapefruit League games and, as he said, took “a lot” of at-bats in simulated games in Sarasota.
“I’m available to play infield and outfield, wherever the team needs me,” Mateo said.
The Orioles reassigned Soto to Triple-A Norfolk, designated right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras for assignment and assigned right-hander Matt Bowman to Triple-A Norfolk after he cleared outright waivers and accepted an assignment to the Tides.
Seven players begin the season on the injured list. The most prominent is shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who has a strained right intercostal muscle and will begin a rehab assignment at Norfolk. Henderson, who will be eligible to return on April 3rd, was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Monday.
Henderson hasn’t played since February 27th.
“Now, it’s about getting him in game shape,” Hyde said. “Hopefully, he’s with us soon.”
Right-handers Andrew Kittredge, who had surgery to remove cartilage from his left knee, Grayson Rodriguez (right elbow inflammation), Chayce McDermott (right elbow inflammation) and left-hander Trevor Rogers (left knee dislocation) are on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Monday. Right-handers Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells are on the 60-day injured list after elbow surgeries last June.
Hyde told Soto a few days ago that the roster wouldn’t be set until “the last possible second. He knew it wasn’t a sure thing, but what a spring training he had
“I think he’s a good player, and he’s going to help us this year. Just because you don’t make the team out of camp doesn’t mean you’re not going to be with the team, be a big part of the team whenever that day comes. He’s going to stay ready, and I assume you’re going to see him up here at some point.”
Notes: The Orioles have just one rookie on the team, 35-year-old Tomoyuki Sugano, who pitched for 12 seasons in Japan. Sugano, infielder Jackson Holliday, outfielder Heston Kjerstad, left-hander Cade Povich and right-hander Albert Suárez are on the first Opening Day roster. Sugano, starter Charlie Morton, outfielders Ramón Laureano and Tyler O’Neill and catcher Gary Sánchez are making their Orioles debut. .. Three of the players on the injured list — Bradish, Kittredge and Rodriguez — are with the team in Toronto. Friday night’s game will be shown exclusively on AppleTV+.