Baltimore second baseman Jorge Mateo avoided a salary arbitration hearing when he agreed to a $3.55 million, one-year contract with the Orioles on Tuesday. Mateo's deal includes a $5.5 million team option for 2026.

Mateo, one of MLB’s fastest players, joined the Orioles in 2021 as a former top prospect seeking to establish himself in the big leagues. He was one of the best defensive shortstops in 2022 and has been a relied-upon role player — despite his offensive struggles — over the past two seasons.

The Orioles announced that they’ve agreed to a deal with utilityman Jorge Mateo to avoid arbitration. It’s a one-year contract that comes with a club option for 2026.