Orioles’ Henderson to start season on injured list; Povich named 5th starter; Waiting on Mateo

SARASOTA–Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said on Sunday. Henderson, who has a strained intercostal muscle, will remain in Florida when the team leaves Sunday night and take batting practice. He will be eligible to play on April 3rd since his injured list stint will be backdated.

“He’s going to stay back in Florida,” Elias said. “He took simulated at-bats yesterday, hit very well. He’s going to take more today, he’s going to take more tomorrow, he’s going to take more the next day, but he will start the season on  the IL, which will be a minimum of seven days missed. We’re going to try to get him out there as soon as possible. Obviously, I’m very hopeful that the IL stint will be measured in days instead of weeks, but I don’t have a crystal ball. But he’s doing well and it’s a matter of getting him prepared for the season, getting him at-bats, measuring his recovery.”

Infielder Jorge Mateo will play on Sunday in North Port against Atlanta and will remain in Florida for additional at-bats. The team hopes he can be ready to begin the season on Thursday in Toronto. Mateo is recovering from Tommy John surgery last August.

“We have not ruled him out for Opening Day. That’s going to be a determination that we make right up to the beginning of Opening Day.”

Elias announced that 24-year-old left-hander Cade Povich will be the fifth starter and start the home opener against Boston on March 31st. Albert Suárez will be in the bullpen, where the 35-year-old right-hander can provide long and short relief.

“There were some arguments to be made in either direction,” Elias said. “We just thought Cade, he just looks so good right now. I think he gives us what we feel is the best chance to win the fifth game of the season and he’s in a good spot. He’s not somebody that we would entertain putting him in a major league bullpen right now, so didn’t want to option him. We want him on the team. We think he’s, hopefully, one of our better pitchers.”

Elias said he’s hoping that Félix Bautista, who will pitch in Sunday’s game, can be on the Opening Day roster. Bautista was the American League’s most dominant reliever in 2023 before needing Tommy John surgery that kept him out all of last season.

Starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, who has right elbow inflammation, will travel with the Orioles to Washington for the team’s final exhibition game but is just starting to build up and won’t be ready to pitch in games for some time.

“He’s in a throwing buildup,” Elias said. “He’s starting from square zero with his throwing buildup, so he’s just playing catch. We’re going to keep moving that out. I think next month would be the earliest he gets off the mound, so it’s going to be a while before there’s any type of exciting updates with Grayson just because we’re starting over with his throwing, but so far so good.”

Catcher Samuel Basallo has right elbow inflammation and will be restricted to DH duties when Triple-A Norfolk’s season begins this week. It could be a few weeks before the 20-year-old will be catching.

Infielder Emmanuel Rivera will remain in Florida because of a left shoulder injury.

The Orioles also optioned outfielder Dylan Carlson to minor league camp Sunday. The switch-hitting Carlson had a strong camp, batting .321 with 1.071 OPS in 18 Grapefruit League games.