Baltimore Orioles Give Really Tough Injury Update on MVP Candidate Shortstop

After straining his right intercostal muscle earlier this spring, Gunnar Henderson will begin the year on the injured list.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) celebrates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 2024. / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Despite his desires to be ready in time for Opening Day, Baltimore Orioles' shortstop Gunnar Henderson will begin the year on the injured list, according to general manager Mike Elias.

Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner relayed the information on social media. Henderson had suffered an intercostal strain earlier in the spring.

Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson will begin the season on the injured list, GM Mike Elias said

— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) March 23, 2025

That's a really tough blow for an Orioles team that has designs on winning the World Series this season. The 23-year-old Alabama native was an All-Star last year, posting a robust 9.1 WAR. He hit 37 home runs, also hitting .281 with 92 RBI and 21 stolen bases. He was a Silver Slugger winner and finished fourth in the American League MVP voting, behind Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr. and Juan Soto. He's invaluable to the Orioles lineup so they can't afford to have him miss much time, but they also will make sure to play it carefully with him.

Heading into his fourth major league season, Henderson should be seen as an MVP candidate in the American League. He's a .268 lifetime hitter with 69 homers already. The hope is that he can return early in April after a short injured list stint.

Henderson is not the only O's player to deal with an injury early in the year. Starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez is going to start the year on the IL, and Kyle Bradish is on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from elbow surgery.

Baltimore opens the year on March 27 at the Toronto Blue Jays.

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