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

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.

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Friday that right-handed relief pitcher Felix Bautista (elbow) had a right-elbow debridement and an ulnar-nerve transposition with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, Texas. The Orioles do not anticipate any changes in Bautista's overall Tommy John recovery timeline and they still expect him to return for the 2025 season. The 28-year-old will now continue to recovery from his elbow surgeries this year and will not be available to Baltimore at all this season. It's the reason why they signed veteran closer Craig Kimbrel this winter. Kimbrel will enter the 2024 campaign as the team's primary closer, with Bautista eyeing a return to the role in 2025. Before hurting his right elbow last year, Bautista had emerged as one of the best lockdown closers in the game.