Félix Bautista (shoulder) progresses to facing hitters

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.

Bautista had surgery to repair a torn labrum last summer and began his throwing program at the beginning of June. He has now thrown a full bullpens for the Orioles and could be set to face live hitters in the coming weeks. That would likely set him up for a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break and a potential return for the Orioles in the second half of August. If Ryan Helsley (elbow) remains sidelined by then, it could give Bautista a chance to earn some save opportunities to finish the season.

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.

The deal is now official. Helsley, who can opt-out and re-enter the market next winter, takes over as Baltimore’s closer with Félix Bautista expected to miss nearly all of next season recovering from shoulder surgery. The flame-throwing 31-year-old stopper holds a sparkling 2.96 ERA and has converted 105 of 132 save opportunities over 319 2/3 innings since 2019. The move provides a significant boost to his immediate fantasy value as he faces zero competition for saves with the Orioles and boasts a lengthy track record of success in the ninth inning. He’s a borderline top-10 closer for fantasy purposes heading into drafts next spring.

The Athletic’s Katie Woo adds that the deal is for $28 million and includes an opt-out after the 2026 season. Helsley immediately takes over as Baltimore’s closer with Félix Bautista slated to miss most of next season recovering from shoulder surgery. The hard-throwing 31-year-old stopper has compiled a stellar 2.96 ERA and racked up 105 saves across 319 2/3 innings since 2019, and reportedly drew interest from numerous teams as a potential starter this offseason. Instead, he’ll remain in a high-leverage role with the Orioles. The move exponentially increases his short-term fantasy appeal as he faces little competition for saves in Baltimore and could re-enter the market next winter in pursuit of a longer, more lucrative deal. He profiles as a borderline top-10 closer for fantasy purposes heading into drafts next spring.

Bautista is not going to be an option for the Orioles until the second half of 2026 at the earliest due to his shoulder issues, but the right-hander is one of the most effective relievers in baseball when he’s been healthy enough to show it.

Elias also noted there’s a chance Bautista could miss the entirety of 2026 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum. Elias noted that the Orioles are expected to target high-leverage options in the bullpen because of how much time Bautista will miss. When healthy he’s among the best relievers in the sport, but there’s no real reason to count on Bautista in 2026 from a fantasy perspective.