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Felix Bautista Could Return in Second Half in 2026
Baltimore Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said on Wednesday that right-handed closer Felix Bautista (shoulder), who had right-shoulder surgery this year, could be back after the trade deadline in 2026, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. The Orioles are still planning on adding late-inning help this offseason, though, because they aren't "banking on him immediately being himself." Specifically, Bautista's surgery fixed a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. He was a first-time All-Star in 2023, when he closed out a career-high 33 games, but he missed all of the 2024 season due to injury as well. The 30-year-old veteran had a career-high 2.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 19 saves, 50 K's, and 23 walks in 34 2/3 frames this year before being shut down. Bautista will be a risky late-inning fantasy reliever next year after his long layoff.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
