Jorge

Mateo

It’s the first day off on the season for the 29-year-old slugger, though he may still appear as a pinch-hitter in a critical spot off the bench. Mauricio Dubon will start in his place at the hot corner and bat seventh while Jorge Mateo draws a start at shortstop and will hit ninth against Brandon Pfaadt and the Diamondbacks.

The 30-year-old speedster got the Braves on the board and evened the score at a run apiece with an RBI single in the second inning. He then drew a one-out walk in the seventh inning, swiped second base and raced around to score on an RBI single by Luis Guanipa. He’s expected to begin the season in a utility role for the Braves, but if he winds up seeing the majority of the starts at shortstop he could ultimately wind up being a viable late-round source of steals for fantasy purposes.

Mateo landed with the Braves last month after Ha-Seong Kim was ruled out for the beginning of the season, and he’ll serve as a utilityman while Mauricio Dubón starts at shortstop initally. Still, one of the game’s best basestealers, he’s probably not going to get enough to an opportunity for at-bats to help in fantasy leagues.

The Braves were forced to pivot after presumed starting shortstop Ha-Seong Kim tore a ligament in his hand while falling on ice. Mateo was that quick pivot. The 30-year-old hit just .177 in 79 at-bats for the Orioles in 2025. He still remains a plus baserunner, but his defense at shortstop has also regressed over the last few seasons, so it’s hard to get too excited about this from a fantasy perspective.

Mateo was playing in his 11th game for Estrellas since being acquired from Escogido in exchange for Eguy Rosario, and he’s thus far hitting .333 in 42 at-bats. A free agent after his $5.5 million option was declined by the Orioles, he should be in line for a major league contract this winter, though probably one with a modest pay cut.

Mateo hits the open market after the Orioles decided not to pick up his option for next season. The 30-year-old utility specialist was limited to just 110 games over the past two seasons due to elbow and hamstring issues.

Holliday was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup with knee discomfort, and he will not be in the lineup on Thursday either. With Baltimore already eliminated from playoff contention, it makes no sense for them to put the 21-year-old in the lineup unless he’s 100 percent. Whether or not he makes it back into the lineup this weekend remains to be seen. Jorge Mateo will start at second base in Holliday’s place on Thursday.

Mateo rejoins Baltimore’s bench mix in a super utility role after missing more than two months recovering from hamstring and elbow injuries. He’s unlikely to play enough to make an impact for fantasy managers down the home stretch.

Mateo last played for the Orioles on June 6, when he was shut down because of soreness in his surgically repaired elbow. He then suffered a bad hamstring strain on June 29 while rehabbing at Norfolk, but it looks like he will be back for the final month of the season. He’ll probably replace Luis Vázquez once the Orioles deem him ready.

It’s merely a procedural move as Mateo is going to be sidelined until at least late August with a hamstring strain.