By Field Level Media
Sep 19 (Field Level Media) – The Baltimore Orioles reinstated All-Star closer Felix Bautista from the 60-day injured list on Saturday, more than a year after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Bautista last appeared in a major league game on July 20 of last season, recording his 19th save in a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay.
The 6-foot-8, 285-lb. right-hander underwent surgery on August 19 to repair his right labrum and rotator cuff.
In corresponding move, the Orioles optioned lefty Cade Povich to Triple-A Norfolk. Povich started Friday night’s game vs. Milwaukee and was not involved the decision of a 6-5, 10-inning loss to Milwaukee.
Bautista, 31, was an All-Star in 2023 but injured his right ulnar collateral ligament in a game against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 25, 2023, and missed the rest of the season. The subsequent Tommy John surgery erased his 2024 campaign.
Before that injury, Bautista was one of the dominant closers in the majors. He went 8-2 with 33 saves, a 1.48 ERA and 0.918 WHIP. He struck out 110 in 61 innings.
In 156 career games, the native of the Dominican Republic is 13-7 with a 2.01 ERA and 248 strikeouts in 161 1/3 innings.
Before Saturday’s game vs. Milwaukee, Orioles President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias told reporters that closer Ryan Helsley (right elbow discomfort) will be shut down for the remainder of the 2026 season. He was placed on the IL on July 19.
Helsley was 0-4 with a 4.11 ERA and eight saves in nine opportunities in his first season with Baltimore. He had nine walks and 21 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings over 17 relief appearances.
The Orioles also reinstated OF Christian Franklin (left hand inflammation) from the 10-day IL and optioned OF Heston Kjerstad to Triple-A Norfolk. They also transferred OF Tyler O’Neill (right shoulder inflammation) to the 60-day IL.
(–Field Level Media)
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