Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (shoulder) has "a lot of swelling" in his shoulder, and team doctors can't make a diagnosis until the swelling goes down, according to interim manager Tony Mansolino. The skipper also said it's going to be "weeks not days" of Bautista being on the injured list. The Orioles aren't going to rush the 30-year-old back since they aren't anywhere close to the playoff race, so fantasy managers might not get him back until mid to late August. Baltimore traded left-handed reliever Gregory Soto to the New York Mets over the weekend, ensuring that righty Seranthony Dominguez is the club's primary ninth-inning option until Bautista is able to return. Bautista was a first-time All-Star in 2023, missed the entire 2024 campaign due to injury, and has bounced back with a 2.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 19 saves in 2025.

The Baltimore Orioles placed closer Felix Bautista (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with right-shoulder discomfort and recalled right-hander Kade Strowd from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move, according to Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Bautista was unavailable for the loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, and now we know why. Although the assumption is that Seranthony Dominguez will get the first crack at save chances in Baltimore with Bautista sidelined, interim manager Tony Mansolino left it open. "I don't think that you have a specific closer so to speak. I think you're probably going to try to get your best matchups throughout the game," Mansolino said. If the skipper settles on more of a committee approach, both Gregory Soto and Yennier Cano could also be involved. Bautista is unlikely to be traded at the deadline now that he's on the IL.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (undisclosed) was unexpectedly unavailable for the team's 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, interim manager Tony Mansolino told reporters afterward. "Something didn't feel right, so we shut him down," Mansolino said. "We'll have more information by tomorrow." Bautista has made a resoundingly successful return this season from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in September 2023. The 30-year-old right-hander has converted 19 of 20 saves and recorded a stellar 2.60 ERA with 50:23 K:BB and a 1.13 WHIP in 34 2/3 innings. The Orioles and fantasy managers are left to hope he's not dealing with another serious injury.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that it's unlikely that either left-hander Trevor Rogers or closer Felix Bautista will be traded at this year's deadline, according to a source briefed on the team's plans. The Orioles are listening on Rogers, but he's under control for one more season, and the Orioles plan on contending in 2026. The 27-year-old Rogers' debut with Baltimore last August was rough and led to him being sent down to the minors. He then began the 2025 season on the injured list, while outfielder Kyle Stowers, who the O's traded to Miami in exchange for Rogers last year, became an All-Star. But since May 24, Rogers has a 1.53 ERA with an expected ERA of 2.94. Bautista missed all of 2024 due to injury and has gone 1-1 with a career-high 2.41 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, 18 saves, 48 strikeouts and 20 walks in 33 2/3 innings pitched.

The Baltimore Orioles have reported that they are open to being sellers at the trade deadline this year after a disappointing season thus far, as they sit 11.5 games back in the AL East and have a 42-50 record. Per SportsNet New York, the Orioles are said to be ready or near ready to talk seriously about relievers like Andrew Kittredge, Seranthony Dominguez, and left-hander Gregory Soto. Rivals do not believe that Baltimore will trade closer Felix Bautista. Bautista is putting together a nice season thus far in 2025 with a rock-solid 2.41 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, a 12.83 K/9, and 18 saves in 33 2/3 innings pitched. It makes sense as to why the Orioles do not want to trade him. Still, it appears they are open to moving on from some other members of the bullpen, which might affect the number of save opportunities for Bautista down the stretch, considering they could be losing a lot of their bridge relievers.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista notched his 18th save of the season in his team's 3-1 win over the New York Mets on Thursday, working a scoreless ninth inning without allowing a baserunner. The 30-year-old right-hander got off to a relatively slow start to the season, but he's been dominant of late. In his last 16 appearances dating back to May 31, Bautista has allowed just three hits and one earned run, striking out 27 in 16 innings pitched. For the season, Bautista has a 2.41 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 18 saves in 33 2/3 innings. He looks to be fully recovered from the Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2024 season, and as such is a high-level closer option for fantasy.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista pitched a perfect ninth inning to wrap up a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday. Bautista needed just 11 pitches to nail down his 17th save in 18 attempts. The 30-year-old righty has recorded 12 scoreless appearances in 13 tries since May 31, lowering his ERA to 2.64 with 43 strikeouts over 30 2/3 frames. Bautista is issuing walks at a career-worst rate (5.58 per nine), but that's not surprising for a pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery. He has been terrific overall in his first action since 2023.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista picked up his eighth save of the season in Monday's 5-2 win over the Cardinals. Bautista came on to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three and shut the door with a 1-2-3 inning, including two strikeouts. Much like the entire Orioles team, the 29-year-old has not been as sharp as he was when last healthy in 2023. He has converted all but one of his save opportunities but has a 3.78 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, a 10.26 K/9 rate, and a 5.94 BB/9 rate in 16 2/3 innings of work. His fastball velocity is down as are his strikeout numbers, but he has still been mostly effective outside of his walks. Fantasy managers should be patient with him, as he and the O's slowly start to turn things around.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Felix Bautista tossed a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 4-3 win over the New York Yankees on Monday. Bautista was sharp in the frame, striking out two on 14 pitches without allowing a baserunner. The veteran reliever continues to be a stable piece to the Baltimore bullpen as he now has a 2.25 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts over eight innings of work while converting all four of his save chances. He remains an above-average fantasy closer in all formats.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista secured his third save of the season in a 2-1 victory over the Nationals on Thursday. He gave up one hit and struck out one. Outside of allowing two runs on March 31, his six other appearances have all been scoreless. His ERA is now down to 2.57 as he looks to return to form as one of the best relievers in baseball. His eight strikeouts and six walks on the year aren't quite up to par with the 110:26 K:BB he posted in 2023, but he appears locked in as Baltimore's closer moving forward.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista was called upon to hold a one-run lead versus the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. It wasn't a perfect outing as Bautista did walk two batters, but he was able to work around the danger. He got a groundout and struck out Bo Bichette to convert his first save of the season. Bautista missed all of 2024 while rehabbing Tommy John surgery from October of 2023. He was an elite closer before the surgery, so hopefully that will continue in 2025.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said on Sunday that right-handed reliever Felix Bautista (elbow) will be on the Opening Day roster. Bautista missed all of the 2024 campaign after having Tommy John surgery in October of 2023 and there was recent concern that he might not be ready for the start of the regular season, but those concerns are now out the window apparently. However, it doesn't mean that the 29-year-old won't be eased into closing duties in the ninth inning after his long layoff. The Mountain appeared in five spring training games and should lead Baltimore in saves in 2025 as long as he's healthy, but fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for his workload early on. Before his injury in 2023, Bautista was lights-out for the Orioles, posting a 1.48 ERA and 33 saves.

Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Felix Bautista (elbow) isn't a lock to be on the team's Opening Day roster when they take on the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays next Thursday. "No, we're still talking about our roster. We haven't solidified anything there yet," manager Brandon Hyde said when asked if he's confident that Bautista will be ready. The O's were always planning on easing the 29-year-old closer in early on in 2025 after he missed all of the 2024 season following Tommy John surgery in October of 2023, but he might actually begin on the injured list. The good news for fantasy managers is that Bautista has been throwing in spring training and has allowed three runs while striking out seven and walking one in four Grapefruit League appearances. He should still be rostered in all fantasy leagues, but Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto could tag-team closing duties for the O's early on.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (elbow), who has been cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut on Monday against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, figures to be eased in early on in 2025 after missing all of last year due to Tommy John surgery. "I'm going to be as careful as I possibly can. I don't see him going back-to-back days. I don't see him going 1-pluses. I'm going to have to be careful about getting him up and sitting him down," manager Brandon Hyde said. In terms of who might fill in for a save chance on days that Bautista isn't available, Hyde mentioned Andrew Kittredge, Gregory Soto and Seranthony Dominguez. "I think it's probably a mix and match at that point." It's unclear exactly when the kid gloves will come off Bautista this year, but Hyde did mention "especially in the first half." Still, Bautista should be viewed as a top-10 fantasy closer.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista (elbow) could be back on the mound to make his spring debut against the Boston Red Sox on Monday. O's manager Brandon Hyde recently said he is hopeful that Bautista can pitch around seven games before the regular season. The right-hander was one of the best relief pitchers in baseball before missing all of last season due to Tommy John surgery. The team is likely going to ease him back into action, but Bautista has the potential to once again to be one the best closers in baseball.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista (elbow) threw his second live batting practice on Thursday and is nearing his spring debut. Roch Kubatko of MASN noted, "it won't be much longer until he pitches in his first Grapefruit League game." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears that the high-end closer is nearing a return to game action. He missed the entire 2024 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October. During the 2023 season, Bautista was one of the most dominant closers in the sport as he held a 1.48 ERA with a 0.92 WHIP across 68 frames. He tallied 110 punchouts with 33 saves, which were the third-most in the AL. Bautista was also placed in the 100th percentile in xERA and xBA. Given his current status, fantasy managers should expect Bautista to have a good opportunity to be cleared in time for Opening Day, making him a top closer to target in standard formats.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-handed reliever Felix Bautista (elbow) will throw a couple more live batting practice sessions in camp, with the first one coming on Wednesday and another coming on Thursday. The Orioles are just being extra cautious with their closer, who didn't pitch at all in 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old threw 25 pitches in a live BP session on Sunday. The 6-foot-8, 285-pounder Dominican hurler was an All-Star in his second season with the O's in 2023, when he had an 8-2 record, 1.48 ERA (1.88 FIP), a 0.92 WHIP, 33 saves, 110 strikeouts and 26 walks in 61 relief innings. Fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect numbers that good in Bautista's return after a year layoff, especially since he's had issues with walks before, but you should still consider him a top-10 fantasy closer as long as he's healthy going into Opening Day.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista (elbow) threw live batting practice on Sunday. This was the first time Bautista faced live hitters during his recovery process. Earlier in camp, the right-handed emphasized that he plans to be ready for Opening Day. Bautista underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2023 and missed the entire 2024 campaign. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Bautista's status, as he may even be cleared to participate in a spring training game in the coming weeks. During the 2023 season, the 29-year-old tallied 33 saves and held a 1.48 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP across 61 frames. He tallied an impressive 110 punchouts. He placed in the 100th percentile in xERA and xBA. When healthy, Bautista should be expected to be the top closer in Baltimore and should be viewed as a high-end relief pitcher in all formats.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (elbow) told the media at spring training on Friday that he's currently at around 85 percent strength in his throwing program, but he's confident he'll be at 100 percent by Opening Day at the end of March. Bautista is over a year removed from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after missing all of last year. The 29-year-old is being eased into spring training and won't pitch in Grapefruit League games right away, but barring a setback, it sounds as though he'll be a full-go for the start of the regular season. While the O's could also ease him in during the regular season, Bautista should be considered a lock as a top-10 closer if he recaptures his pre-surgery form as one of the best ninth-inning arms in baseball. The Mountain had 33 saves for Baltimore in 2023 while also posting a 1.48 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and elite 46.4% strikeout rate.

Baltimore Orioles right-handed relief pitcher Felix Bautista (elbow) won't pitch in Grapefruit League games until late in the spring and will mostly do backfield work until then. However, general manager Mike Elias said that Bautista has a "very good chance" to be on the Opening Day roster. Bautista had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in October of 2023 and missed all of last season, but he's been throwing bullpen sessions and should be ready for the start of the regular season, barring a setback in spring training. The 29-year-old could be eased back into the closer's role for Baltimore early in the season, but fantasy managers shouldn't ignore the fact that he was one of the league's best closers before his injury in 2023. Despite more risk being involved coming off TJ surgery, RotoBaller has Bautista ranked as the No. 7 fantasy closer.