Health concerns cloud Felix Bautista's future in Baltimore

At one point in his career, Felix Bautista reached the reliever mountain top. He cruised his way to winning the 2023 American League Reliever of the Year Award in after a dominant season, posting a ridiculous 1.48 ERA with 33 saves in 56 appearances. 

Throughout Bautista's 2023 campaign, Baltimore fans knew that they had one of the most dominant pitchers ever on their hands, until it all came crumbling down on August 25, 2023 when the Colorado Rockies came to town.

Baltimore was up by one run heading into the ninth inning, prompting ex-manager Brandon Hyde to bring in their superstar reliever. 

Bautista cruised through his first two opponents, striking out Jurickson Profar and forcing Harold Castro to ground out. Bautista's final opponent of the night was Michael Toglia, who he had in a promising 0-2 count. 

When Bautista delivered his third and final pitch, you could tell something was wrong as soon as he released the ball. 

Bautista would leave the game before he could record his 34th save of the season. 

“I could tell something was not right the way he finished there,” Hyde said. “I didn’t know if it was knee or if it was a lower-half injury or what it was. But when he turned back around, I knew something wasn’t right. You’re hoping for the best when you go out there.”

A day later, news broke that Bautista was headed to the 15-day injured list, with "some degree of injury" to the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. 

Days following the move to the 15-day injured list, it was announced that Bautista would ultimately have to miss the remainder of the 2023 season AND the entirety of the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery -- a devastating blow for the 2023 Baltimore Orioles. 

Bautista would have a smooth, but lengthy recovery following his surgery. 

Baltimore's bullpen struggled significantly in 2024 without Bautista's presence, but everything returned to normal on March 29, 2025. 

Bautista had returned to Baltimore's bullpen and claimed back his role as closer.

Although his fastball velocity dropped to below 100 mph, Bautista was still dominant, as he would strike out three batters in his first appearance in 582 days. 

Bautista would continue to impress in 2025, posting a 2.60 ERA with 19 saves in 35 appearances. Baltimore fans had hope that their lights out closer was back, but all good things must come to an end. 

In a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 20, 2025, Bautista would enter the game to record his 19th save of the season, but this appearance was poor for Bautista's standards. 

Bautista threw a season-high of 34 pitches in this matchup, showing clear signs of fatigue. Bautista would eventually retire Tampa Bay's lineup and record a save, but it wasn't until after the game when fans grew worried for his health. 

Bautista was placed on the 15-day injured list, as Baltimore would search to discover the extent of the injury. 

It wasn't until a month later on August 20, 2025 when news broke that Bautista would miss the remainder of the 2025 season, and likely the entire 2026 season due to a torn rotator cuff and labrum in his right shoulder. 

Major shoulder and elbow reconstruction to Bautista's throwing arm raises legitimate questions about his long-term health. Returning to All-Star form after two serious procedures is a possibility, but rather unlikely. 

Bautista and the rest of Baltimore's staff will be clinical with his rehab, hoping to get the closer back for possibly October baseball.