Félix Bautista DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said on Sunday that right-handed reliever Felix Bautista (elbow) will be on the Opening Day roster. Bautista missed all of the 2024 campaign after having Tommy John surgery in October of 2023 and there was recent concern that he might not be ready for the start of the regular season, but those concerns are now out the window apparently. However, it doesn't mean that the 29-year-old won't be eased into closing duties in the ninth inning after his long layoff. The Mountain appeared in five spring training games and should lead Baltimore in saves in 2025 as long as he's healthy, but fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for his workload early on. Before his injury in 2023, Bautista was lights-out for the Orioles, posting a 1.48 ERA and 33 saves.

Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Felix Bautista (elbow) isn't a lock to be on the team's Opening Day roster when they take on the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays next Thursday. "No, we're still talking about our roster. We haven't solidified anything there yet," manager Brandon Hyde said when asked if he's confident that Bautista will be ready. The O's were always planning on easing the 29-year-old closer in early on in 2025 after he missed all of the 2024 season following Tommy John surgery in October of 2023, but he might actually begin on the injured list. The good news for fantasy managers is that Bautista has been throwing in spring training and has allowed three runs while striking out seven and walking one in four Grapefruit League appearances. He should still be rostered in all fantasy leagues, but Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto could tag-team closing duties for the O's early on.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (elbow), who has been cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut on Monday against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, figures to be eased in early on in 2025 after missing all of last year due to Tommy John surgery. "I'm going to be as careful as I possibly can. I don't see him going back-to-back days. I don't see him going 1-pluses. I'm going to have to be careful about getting him up and sitting him down," manager Brandon Hyde said. In terms of who might fill in for a save chance on days that Bautista isn't available, Hyde mentioned Andrew Kittredge, Gregory Soto and Seranthony Dominguez. "I think it's probably a mix and match at that point." It's unclear exactly when the kid gloves will come off Bautista this year, but Hyde did mention "especially in the first half." Still, Bautista should be viewed as a top-10 fantasy closer.