As the Baltimore Orioles gear up for the upcoming season, General Manager Mike Elias has made several important announcements regarding the team's Opening Day roster plans. These updates were conveyed by multiple reporters, including Rich Dubroff of Baltimore Baseball. One of the most significant announcements is the news that star shortstop Gunnar Henderson will start the season on the 10-day injured list.
This news regarding Henderson is a considerable setback for the Orioles. The young star, who recently finished an impressive 2024 campaign—finishing fourth in a highly competitive AL MVP race—has been sidelined due to an intercostal strain that has kept him out for much of Spring Training. Last season, he boasted an impressive .281/.364/.529 batting line, complemented by 21 stolen bases and strong defensive skills at shortstop, which earned him an impressive 8.0 fWAR and 9.1 bWAR.
With his 24th birthday still three months away, fans had high hopes for Henderson to build on his breakout performance. Unfortunately, he will now be absent for at least seven days, as he is required to be placed on the 10-day injured list on Opening Day. This list can only be backdated a maximum of three days, but Elias expressed optimism that Henderson’s recovery will be relatively swift, implying that the team expects him to return before long.
In Henderson's absence, the Orioles are considering a couple of options at shortstop. One promising candidate is Jackson Holliday, who could step in to fill the void, allowing Ramon Urias to take over at second base. Another potential option is utility player Jorge Mateo, who has been recovering from elbow surgery during the Spring. Although the Orioles' management has expressed doubts regarding Mateo’s readiness for Opening Day, Elias noted that they are keeping the door open for him to make the roster.
Mateo has experience playing across the diamond but has primarily played shortstop in the majors. If he is healthy, he could serve as a quick and effective replacement for Henderson, though it is important to note that Mateo's offensive production has not matched Henderson's. Last season, he managed just a .229/.267/.401 line over 68 games.
In addition to updates about Henderson, Elias also confirmed that Cade Povich will be the club’s fifth starter as the season begins. Povich, a left-handed pitcher, will join right-handers Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, Dean Kremer, and Zach Eflin in the starting rotation. Albert Suarez will transition into a long relief role, a position he held at the start of the 2024 campaign before being moved to the rotation due to injuries.
This is an exciting opportunity for the soon-to-be 25-year-old Povich, who made his debut with the Orioles last year, starting 16 games. Although he faced challenges with a 5.20 ERA and a 4.79 FIP over 79 2/3 innings, Povich has shown promise in Spring Training, posting a 3.07 ERA across four starts. He will look to carry this momentum into the regular season as he aims to solidify his place in the Orioles' rotation.
As the Orioles finalize their roster for the upcoming season, fans are eager to see how these developments will unfold, particularly the impact of Henderson's injury and Povich's role in the starting lineup.
