The Orioles made official what had long been expected on Thursday when the team declined to pick up Jorge Mateo’s $5.5 million option for 2026, making him a free agent.
Mateo, whose 100 stolen bases ranks 10th in club history, hit .224 with a .637 OPS in his five seasons with the team. He was claimed off waivers from San Diego on August 5th, 2021.
In 2022, Mateo played 150 games as the team’s regular shortstop, hitting .221 with a .646 OPS, 13 home runs, 50 RBIs and 35 stolen bases.
Mateo had Tommy John surgery in August 2024 after colliding with Gunnar Henderson in Miami and played only 68 games.
This season, Mateo, who was playing center field, collided with rightfielder Heston Kjerstad in early June and injured his left elbow. While rehabbing the elbow at Triple-A Norfolk, Mateo sustained a hamstring injury and played just 42 games, hitting .177 with a home runs and three RBIs. He stole 15 bases in 17 attempts.
The Orioles also announced the signing of outfielder Leody Taveras to a 2026 contract. The salary has been reported at $2 million.
Right-hander Andrew Kittredge’s $9 million option for 2026 was also exercised. Kittredge was reacquired from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
Outfielder Dylan Carlson declined an outright assignment to Norfolk and became a free agent. Carlson, who signed a $975,000 contract as a free agent on January 27th, hit .203 with six homers and 20 RBIs in 83 games. Outfielder Daniel Johnson also declined an assignment to Norfolk and is a free agent.
The Orioles claimed 27-year-old outfielder Pedro Léon off waivers from Houston. Léon was 2-for-20 (.100) in seven games with the Astros in 2021.
Right-hander Shawn Dubin is now a minor league free agent. Dubin had a 3.38 ERA in seven games.
Left-handed pitcher Josh Walker, who signed a major league contract with the Orioles on Tuesday, was designated for assignment. Right-hander Carson Ragsdale, who had a 14.40 ERA in two games, was also designated for assignment.
Right-hander Anthony Nunez had his contract selected from Norfolk, which protects him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft. Nunez, who was acquired from the New York Mets in the Cedric Mullins trade, was 1-4 with a 3.45 ERA and four saves in 16 games for Norfolk. He struck out 21 in 15 2/3 innings. Nunez also threw a scoreless inning for Double-A Chesapeake.
Right-handers Félix Bautista, Grayson Rodriguez and Brandon Young were removed from the 60-day injured list and placed on the 40-man roster.
The Orioles lost left-handed pitcher José Castillo to the Mets on waivers.
The Orioles’ 40-man roster is full.
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