SARASOTA, Fla. — The Orioles’ left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers is not anticipated to be ready for the upcoming opening day due to a partial dislocation of his right kneecap sustained during the offseason, as stated by Baltimore’s general manager, Mike Elias, on Thursday.
Elias informed the media at the Orioles’ training camp that the knee subluxation occurred in January, although the precise details surrounding the injury remain unclear. Currently, Rogers is participating in catch sessions with his teammates in Florida, but he is falling significantly behind schedule in his recovery.
The Orioles had brought in the former All-Star and first-round draft selection from Miami during a trade deadline deal last July, exchanging two highly regarded prospects for him. However, after just three weeks with the team, Rogers was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after posting an 0-2 record and a 7.11 ERA in four starts. This performance included allowing 25 hits and 15 earned runs over 19 innings pitched.
Rogers was expected to provide a left-handed option to the Orioles’ starting rotation, but the team currently appears to be well-stocked with five right-handed pitchers. New additions Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano join returning players Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer, and Grayson Rodriguez in the rotation.
At 27 years old, Rogers holds a career record of 15 wins and 34 losses, with a 4.36 ERA across 84 major league starts. His initial 80 appearances were with the Miami Marlins from 2020 until the trade last summer. Miami selected him as the 13th overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft, coming from Carlsbad High School in New Mexico.
In 2021, Rogers was recognized as an All-Star and finished as the runner-up for the National League Rookie of the Year, which was awarded to Jonathan India of Cincinnati. That season, he had a record of 7-8 with a remarkable 2.64 ERA in 25 starts, striking out 157 batters in 133 innings pitched.
Additionally, GM Elias mentioned that second baseman Jorge Mateo, who is in recovery following left elbow surgery on his non-throwing arm last August, is also unlikely to be ready in time for the March 27 season opener against Toronto. Despite participating in catch and hitting drills, his readiness remains uncertain.
Mateo’s injury occurred on July 23 during a game against Miami when he collided with shortstop Gunnar Henderson while both were pursuing a ground ball behind second base.
The Orioles and Mateo, age 29, came to an agreement on a one-year contract worth $3.55 million last month, thus avoiding a salary arbitration hearing. This deal also includes a team option valued at $5.5 million for the year 2026, which could potentially increase by an additional $500,000 depending on his plate appearances in 2025, allowing for bonuses at different milestones.
