Orioles news: Injury updates, qualifying offers, coaching changes, Arizona Fall League

On Friday afternoon, Orioles GM Mike Elias spoke with reporters and gave a number of injury updates on players expected to be critical pieces in 2025.

Regarding Grayson Rodriguez, Elias said that he expects the young righty to be back to full strength prior to the start of spring training in February. Rodriguez missed the last two months of 2024 with a lat strain but with plenty of time to recover during the offseason, he should be back to 100% with plenty of time to spare.

Elias mentioned that Rookie of the Year candidate Colton Cowser underwent successful surgery to fix a lingering issue with his broken hand. Cowser was hit by a pitch in the final game of the O's postseason. Like Rodriguez, Cowser should be back to full strength before spring training starts.

Unfortunately, infielder Jorge Mateo might not be ready for the start of spring training. Elias did mention that he thinks Mateo will be good to go by Opening Day but if the timeline gets pushed back even slightly, it increases the likelihood that Mateo starts the year on the IL.

As for starters Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish, both remain on track for a mid-season return in 2025. Both underwent Tommy John surgery this past year, but both injuries were early enough that those guys should be able to contribute before the end of 2025. John Means also underwent Tommy John surgery but is currently a free agent.

The MLB qualifying offer deadline is approaching

The deadline for MLB players who have received a qualifying offer for 2025 to either accept or decline the offer is on this coming Tuesday, the 19th. The Orioles have just two such players this winter. The O's extended qualifying offers to both Anthony Santander and Corbin Burnes.

At this point, these two cases are formalities. Neither player will accept the qualifying offer, as they're both projected to earn significant, multi-year deals this winter. While the qualifying offers are out of play, it's possible that either Burnes or Santander could return to Baltimore on a fresh contract for 2025.

Orioles announce latest coaching staff change for 2025

According to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner, the Orioles have promoted Sherman Johnson into a role with the major league coaching staff. Johnson will work on the hitting side, along with Cody Asche and Tommy Joseph.

Johnson has spent two years with the Orioles, his only two seasons as a coach. In 2023, he worked as a hitting instructor down in Bowie, and in 2024 he was a general minor league hitting coordinator. His quick rise through the organization is notable.

Arizona Fall League wraps up with Orioles prospects in the spotlight

The 2024 Arizona Fall League regular season has concluded, with the Surprise Saguaros set to play for the championship later tonight. The Saguaros were led by an unassuming Orioles prospect in catcher Creed Willems.

Willems played lights out in the desert, hitting .338/.391/.500 with 8 extra base hits and 11 RBI. Douglas Hodo III also looked good at the plate, but things didn't go so well for O's pitchers. We'll have to wait and see if Willems can leverage the success from this experience to another strong minor league season in 2025.