Trevor Rogers’ 2025 Comeback: Marlins’ Lefty Shocks MLB with Dominant Return

Trevor Rogers’ rehab from a right-knee subluxation is entering its final phase, and the Baltimore Orioles may get their left-handed starter back before the calendar flips to June. Background on the injury • The former first-round pick dislocated the knee during winter workouts, forcing an Opening-Day stint on the 15-day injured list. • Rogers began a minor-league rehab assignment on April 23, roughly four weeks behind the rest of the rotation. Latest rehab checkpoint • In his fourth rehab start, the 27-year-old stretched out to 70 pitches, flashing a fastball that sat 93-94 mph and touching 95. • The next step is a five-day buildup to 85-90 pitches; if he clears that hurdle without setback, Baltimore can activate him for the May 30–June 1 series in Detroit. What his return means for the Orioles 1. Rotation shuffle: Dean Kremer, currently occupying the No. 5 spot, would likely shift to long relief, giving manager Brandon Hyde a four-lefty look alongside John Means, Cole Irvin, and DL Hall. 2. Innings management: Expect the club to monitor Rogers’ workload after he logged just 39 MLB innings last year while battling biceps and lat issues. 3. Ground-ball boost: Rogers’ changeup historically generates a 55 percent ground-ball rate, a welcome profile behind Baltimore’s improved infield defense. Fantasy baseball impact • Shallow leagues: Rogers’ 30.0 percent whiff rate from his 2021 All-Star campaign makes him a must-stash where available. • Deeper formats: His knee adds risk, but Camden Yards’ deep left-field fence suppresses right-handed power, giving him streaming appeal. • Dynasty outlook: Still only 27 and under team control through 2027, Rogers remains a buy-low target for rebuilding squads. Key dates to monitor • May 26: Scheduled 85-pitch rehab outing with Triple-A Norfolk. • May 30: Earliest possible activation (requires clean medical evaluation). • June 14-20: Two-start week vs. Cleveland and Tampa Bay—circle for fantasy lineups. Bottom line If the final rehab start goes as planned, Trevor Rogers should be back on a big-league mound before June, giving the Orioles a needed left-handed power arm and fantasy managers a potential second-half difference-maker.