Bautista (elbow) played catch Friday, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Bautista is continuing to rehab from Tommy John Surgery back in October of 2023 and an additional surgery in February. While a 2024 return hasn't been ruled out and Friday's update is encouraging, it's highly unlikely Bautista will be ready this season.
The Orioles placed Bautista (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Bautista will miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October followed by a right elbow debridement and an ulnar nerve transposition procedure last week. Baltimore brought in veteran right-hander Craig Kimbrel on a one-year, $13 million contract in December and will install him as the closer this season while Bautista completes his rehab.
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Orioles' Felix Bautista: Undergoes additional elbow surgery
Rotowire
Bautista underwent a right elbow debridement and an ulnar nerve transposition Friday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
The first part of the operation cleaned up scar tissue in the elbow, while the second moved the nerve to free it up from compression. While not routine, follow-up procedures are sometimes needed for pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery. Bautista's recovery is going well and the Orioles do not expect his readiness for the 2025 campaign to be affected.
Orioles' Felix Bautista: Not ruling out late-season return
Rotowire
Bautista (elbow) on Tuesday wouldn't rule out the possibility of returning before the end of the 2024 season, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Bautista underwent Tommy John surgery in October, so the odds of him making it back at any point in 2024 are slim, if not non-existent. The goal remains for the reliever to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. Craig Kimbrel is slated to serve as the Orioles' closer while Bautista rehabs.
Orioles' Felix Bautista: Tommy John surgery completed
Rotowire
Bautista (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery in Arlington, Texas on Monday.
As the Orioles' American League Division Series shifts to Texas for Game 3 on Tuesday, Bautista traveled with the team and had his procedure performed by the Rangers' team physician, Dr. Keith Meister, who is also one of the foremost orthopedic surgeons for elbow reconstructions. A first-time All-Star in 2023, Bautista had arguably emerged as MLB's top closer before throwing his last pitch in late August, as he had compiled a 1.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 110:26 K:BB to go with 33 saves in 39 chances over 61 innings. He's expected to remain out through the entire 2024 season before returning as a full participant for spring training in 2025 if he endures no setbacks in his recovery from surgery.
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Orioles' Felix Bautista: Needs Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Bautista (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery in October, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Bautista's 1.48 ERA, 33 saves and 46.4 percent strikeout rate helped the Orioles get back to the playoffs this season, but he won't get to be part of the roster as they push to make their first World Series since 1983. Tommy John surgery seemed possible when Bautista was first diagnosed with a UCL injury back in late August, but the fact that he quickly resumed throwing and had recently advanced to a 25-pitch simulated game seemed to indicate that he'd avoided a worst-case scenario. Instead, he'll miss not only this year's playoffs but the entirety of next season as well. In less significant news, he also signed a two-year contract extension, per Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com, buying out his first year of arbitration and giving him peace of mind as he recovers. Yennier Cano will continue handling closer duties in Bautista's absence.
