What was looking inevitable became official Sunday with news that Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson will begin the 2025 season on the 10-day injured list.
General manager Mike Elias told reporters in Sarasota that Henderson wouldn’t be ready for Opening Day as he continues working his way back from a strained rib-cage muscle suffered on Feb. 27. The 23-year-old has begun hitting in recent days and faced pitchers over the weekend, but he’ll now miss a minimum of the first seven days of the season since the Orioles can backdate his 10-day IL three days. Elias said the strong hope remains that Henderson’s absence “will be measured in days instead of weeks” as he prepares to return to live-game action and make his 2025 debut.
It’s certainly not ideal for Baltimore to be without its All-Star shortstop who finished fourth in AL MVP voting last season, but intercostal strains have a high re-injury rate, which is why the organization has been extremely careful with Henderson. The Orioles certainly don’t want him to be dealing with the effects of this injury into the summer as they try to qualify for the postseason for the third straight year.
Exactly how the Orioles proceed without Henderson for at least the first week of the season remains to be seen, but Jackson Holliday — the projected starting second baseman — made each of his final eight Grapefruit League starts at his natural shortstop position. Elias hasn’t ruled out the possibility of reserve middle infielder Jorge Mateo making the Opening Day roster despite previous doubts about him being ready coming back from major left elbow surgery last August. If Mateo goes on the IL, the Orioles could go with Livan Soto or spring surprise Vimael Machin for an extra infielder.
In more positive news, manager Brandon Hyde said closer Felix Bautista would indeed make the 26-man roster to open the season after some uncertainty about his early-season status. Now 17 months removed from 2023 Tommy John surgery, Bautista struck out two and walked one against Atlanta in his final spring appearance on Sunday. The Orioles have already said that Bautista won’t pitch on back-to-back days or for more than an inning at a time for at least the early part of the season.
The Orioles have also named lefty Cade Povich as their No. 5 starter, meaning he will start the home opener against Boston on March 31. The soon-to-be 25-year-old beat out right-hander Albert Suarez for the final rotation spot after posting a 3.07 ERA, striking out 15, and walking four in 14 2/3 innings in the Grapefruit League. That came after Povich finished his rookie season on a high note with a 2.60 ERA over five September starts.
Suarez will pitch out of the bullpen to open the season.
With right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge sidelined until the summer after undergoing knee surgery earlier this month, the Orioles must decide on their final bullpen spot with right-handers Bryan Baker, Matt Bowman, and Roansy Contreras all in contention and out of options. Bowman had his contract selected Sunday to prevent him from opting out of his minor-league deal, but that doesn’t guarantee he’ll make the club with the Orioles having a few more days to form their initial 26-man roster.
To make room for Bowman on the 40-man roster, right-hander Tyler Wells (right elbow surgery) was placed on the 60-day IL.
