
During Orioles Fest on Friday evening, Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde shared an important update regarding the injury status of one of his star pitchers with fans and media members.
Following a complete absence from the 2024 season due to an elbow injury and recovery from Tommy John surgery, closer Félix Bautista is ready to reclaim his position as the team’s ninth inning shutdown pitcher in the upcoming season.
This update serves as a significant enhancement to its aspirations of reclaiming a spot among the elite teams in the American League, given that the Orioles placed 22nd in MLB for bullpen ERA as a team in 2024 after achieving fifth in the league in that category the year before.
MLB.com journalist Jake Rill reported that Hyde informed attendees he has been observing Bautista pitch at the team’s spring training facility in Sarasota, Florida lately and that he “looks really good.”
Hyde’s update signifies an extension of Bautista’s condition from December, showing he has encountered no setbacks in his recovery and remains set to be on the team’s Opening Day roster.
That description should not be surprising for anyone who has witnessed Bautista pitch throughout his career, as the 29-year-old quickly established himself as one of the most powerful forces in MLB on the mound since his start in 2022.
The Santo Domingo native from the Dominican Republic had an impressive rookie season, recording 88 strikeouts in 65.2 innings pitched with an ERA of 2.19.
He continued this trend in 2023 by being even more frugal, increasing his swing-and-miss effectiveness to accumulate 110 strikeouts in 61 innings pitched, limiting opponents to a 1.48 ERA and closing out numerous critical games late in the season, resulting in 33 saves.
As a result of his performance, Bautista was selected for the 2023 American League All-Star team, and he entered discussions for the Cy Young award as the league’s best pitcher, finishing 11th in voting, trailing behind 10 starting pitchers.
Bautista’s comeback is not the sole enhancement for Baltimore’s group of relievers this year.
The organization has also signed Andrew Kittredge during free agency and will gain from complete seasons of the 2024 acquisitions from the Philadelphia Phillies, Gregory Soto and Seranthony Domínguez.
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