Fantasy Baseball News: Gunnar Henderson to Begin MLB Season on Orioles' IL amid Injury

The Baltimore Orioles will be without a key player to start the 2025 MLB season, and fantasy baseball managers should take note.

Per ESPN, Orioles general manager Mike Elias announced that shortstop Gunnar Henderson will begin the year on the injured list as he continues his recovery from a strained intercostal muscle suffered on Feb. 27.

Henderson resumed some baseball activities a week and a half ago with the goal of making it back to the field by Opening Day, but that's no longer a possibility. ESPN noted that the Orioles "have planned to be cautious in their approach" to the 23-year-old's recovery due to his history with abdominal injuries, as he dealt with left oblique discomfort during the first three weeks of spring training last year.

"It's definitely something we don't want to linger into the season and throughout the season," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said recently. "You want to make sure that's free and clear. He's so important to us. We want to make sure he's right and he's not playing through any sort of injury or soreness the first part of the season."

The 2023 American League Rookie of the Year, Henderson was even more impressive in 2024 as he earned his first career All-Star selection. He played in 159 games and hit .281 with 37 home runs, 31 doubles and 92 RBI.

Henderson was likely to get a lot of attention in fantasy baseball drafts. ESPN projected him as the No. 9 player in fantasy.

"While Henderson cooled somewhat in the power department during the season's second half -- nine home runs and .174 ISO in his final 64 contests -- his cumulative numbers nevertheless cemented him as one of the game's premier shortstops, both for real life and fantasy," his outlook stated. "He's a centerpiece of one of the game's best up-and-coming offenses and a genuine, annual 35/20 threat. He is a building-block piece in both points-based and dynasty leagues."

Despite his injury, it's worth drafting Henderson if he lasts late in the first round and stashing him until he's able to return to the diamond.