Orioles’ injury update on Wells, Rogers, Mateo

SARASOTA—Last June, right-handed pitcher Tyler Wells had right elbow surgery that ended his 2024 season and will delay the start of 2025.

Wells hasn’t pitched since April 12^th, his third and final start of 2024. He had a 5.87 ERA.

“Everything’s been going really well,” Wells said on Thursday on the start of Orioles spring training. “We’re just kind of taking it a day at a time. That’s kind of how these rehabs go. Offseason treated me really well, and feeling really good right now. It’s good to be back.”

Wells had Tommy John surgery in 2019, but his June surgery was an internal brace procedure.

“Circumstances this time are a little bit different because off the field, you’ve got a family to worry about,” Wells said. “You get to go home to your wife, dog. You don’t carry baseball around with you all the time. You have other things you focus on away from the field. That’s really nice.”

Wells doesn’t have a timetable for his return.

“Not really. It’s a day-to-day process for me right now,” he said. “I don’t have any timeline or anything like that. I’m just trying to focus on what I can take care of on my day-to-day stuff, and just make sure I’m recovering well, that I’m working out, eating well, things like that.”

Last year, Wells rehabbed with right-handed starter Kyle Bradish, who had Tommy John surgery around the same time. Wells rejoined the Orioles for the Wild Card Series and is happy to be back in the clubhouse.

“It’s fun. There really isn’t anything like a team environment,” he said. “I think that’s one of the things about rehab. When you’re away from the guys, it kind of feels like you’re on an island by yourself with the other guys you’re going through rehab with.”

Rogers has to wait

Left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers will have to wait before throwing in spring training. Last month, he sustained a right kneecap subluxation (a subluxation is a partial dislocation).

“I was just throwing about a month ago, was throwing on turf, landed wrong,” Rogers said. “Unfortunately, it dislocated. Thankfully, it wasn’t a complete dislocation. Just dislocated for a brief second and went back into place. It could have been a lot worse.”

Rogers is eager to pitch again for the Orioles. After arriving from the Miami Marlins last July, he started four times with a 7.11 ERA and was quickly sent to Triple-A Norfolk. He didn’t come back.

Rogers said his knee hurts when he tries to extend it.

“That’s the only time where it bugs me,” he said. “I’m walking around normally. Probably the biggest thing is I play catch every day. Whenever I get back to 100 percent, I should be able to ramp up pretty quickly.”

Rogers also isn’t certain when he’ll return.

“No definitive timetable. I’ve heard it could be a couple of weeks,” he said. “It was definitely not the way that I would want my spring to go based on how last season ended up and competing for a spot on this team. This is the hand I’ve been dealt. I’ve got to make the best of it.

“I was really liking where my mechanics were, where my stuff was. I hit 93 in a bullpen, which was huge for me based on everything that happened last year. I was really liking where I was going. I still like where I’m headed, just another bump in the road. To be honest, I’d rather it happen right now in spring training than in the middle of the year.”

Mateo making progress

Although infielder Jorge Mateo isn’t expected to be ready for Opening Day after his August Tommy John surgery, he’s doing what he can.

“Right now, I’m only doing swings with one hand, not two hands yet,” Mateo said through a translator. “So far it feels really good.”

Mateo said he’s going to miss outfielder Anthony Santander, who signed last month with the Toronto Blue Jays.

“A lot. A lot because I would always beat him playing chess,” Mateo said smiling.

Note: Outfielder Daz Cameron passed through outright waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. He’s been invited to major league spring training.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.