Félix Bautista's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista (elbow) was officially ruled out of the 2024 season, according to Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner on Saturday afternoon. Bautista is scheduled to throw off a mound sometime next week, but GM Mike Elias confirmed that the star closer will not return to game action this season. The hard-throwing right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last October and had a very slim chance of returning to the big leagues this season. The 29-year-old should be expected to be fully recovered from his operation come spring training next season. Last summer, Bautista was one of the best closers in the game, holding an incredible 2.08 xERA, .142 xBA, 44.3% whiff rate, and a 46.4% K rate. Bautista will likely return to his ninth-inning role in Baltimore next summer and will be one of the first relievers taken in many fantasy leagues.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista (elbow) began playing catch on Friday. This marks the first time that Bautista has thrown since having Tommy John surgery in October and an additional surgery in February. Bautista injured his elbow in a relief appearance against the Colorado Rockies last August. As of now a return in the 2024 season has not been ruled out, though it's highly unlikely the 28-year-old will return this year. Bautista was one of the Orioles' most effective relievers in 2023, posting a 1.48 ERA in 61 innings in 2023. Fantasy managers need not worry about his status this season and instead focus on his return in the 2025 season.

The Baltimore Orioles placed right-hander Felix Bautista (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday to make room for outfielder Peyton Burdick, who was acquired in a trade from the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash considerations. Bautista emerged as one of the best closers in the game in 2023 for an Orioles team that won the American League East, but the 28-year-old reliever will miss all of the 2024 season after having Tommy John surgery in October. It was recently announced that he also had a right-elbow debridement and an ulnar-nerve transposition last week, but the additional procedures won't change his final timeline to return by 2025. With Bautista out all of this season, the Orioles brought in veteran Craig Kimbrel to serve as their closer.