Félix Bautista is “throwing really well” in pens

Helsley’s impending return would provide a massive lift for the Orioles during the final two weeks as they sit just three games out of the final playoff spot in the American League. Craig Albernaz has been rolling with a multi-pronged closer-by-committee approach that includes Rico Garcia, Andrew Kittredge, Yennier Cano and Josh Walker for the past couple weeks. They also have former stopper Félix Bautista on the verge of returning from the injured list. Helsley, who has been out with elbow discomfort since early July, figures to step into the closer role once he’s activated.

Bautista needed just eight pitches, six of them strikes, to collect three outs. He had just one whiff and sat 94.8 mph on his sinker, but he had much better command of his arsenal in this one. He likely needs a few more appearances, but there is a chance that he could rejoin the Orioles as soon as next week if he continues to pitch well.

The 31-year-old hurler faced five batters in the ballgame — allowing a hit and three walks in the process. He threw just 10 of his 22 pitches for strikes while maxing out at 97-mph on the radar gun. It’s going to take some time to shake off the rust following Tommy John surgery, so expect inconsistency upon his return.

Bautista will make his first appearance in a game setting since undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his shoulder last August. He missed the entire 2024 campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery after recording a career-high 33 saves the previous season. The hard-throwing 31-year-old former elite closer will require at least one or two weeks of rehab outings in the upper minors before he’s ready to rejoin Baltimore’s high-leverage mix. The Orioles have deployed a closer-by-committee approach with Andrew Kittredge and Yennier Cano doing most of the heavy lifting while Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the injured list. Bautista has a relatively unobstructed path to save chances in the final month of the season once he makes it back to Camden Yards. He should be stashed in all fantasy formats.

It’s been a long road back for Bautista since undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff last year. There have been reports of him throwing going all the way back to March, but he’s ramped up his progression with consistent bullpen sessions since June and has been facing live hitters for the last two weeks. The quality of his stuff and velocity during this rehab assignment will tell us a lot about the role we can expect him to fill for the Orioles when he eventually returns.

It was Bautista’s first time facing hitters since last year’s surgery to repair a labrum tear in his shoulder. The hard-throwing 31-year-old stopper has a chance to make it back to Baltimore before the regular season concludes, but he’s going to need a couple weeks or minor league rehab outings before that happens.

Bautista kicked off a throwing progression earlier this month and will continue building up his arm strength and velocity for the next couple weeks. The flame-throwing former closer is working his way back from last year’s surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff and should be an option for Baltimore’s closing mix at some point later on in the second half.

Bautista is facing a long road back from last year’s shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff, but he’s on track to make it back to Baltimore’s bullpen at some point in the second half. He’ll likely split the closing duties with Ryan Helsley, in the event that both are healthy, and form one of the best late-inning tandem’s in the game.

Bautista, who had surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff, told reporters his arm feels good and that he’s still hoping to pitch later in the season. Ryan Helsley will be getting the save opportunities for the Orioles in 2026.

This move was inevitable, as the 30-year-old hurler is expected to miss most of the 2026 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. It was done now though to free up a spot on the O’s 40-man roster for the addition of Bryan Ramos.