Felix Bautista to the injured list with shoulder discomfort
Baltimore Orioles closer Félix Bautista has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder discomfort. Bautista, who is sixth in the American League with 19 saves, felt discomfort while stretching in the bullpen during Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. Interim manager Tony Mansolino revealed that Bautista felt ill during the warm-up process. The Dominican pitcher will undergo an MRI upon the Orioles’ return home on Friday.Bautista did not participate in the first three games of the series in Cleveland. His last appearance was on Sunday in Tampa Bay, where he earned his 19th save in 20 opportunities. Bautista missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old Dominican pitcher has a 1-1 record and an ERA of 2.60 in 35 appearances, limiting opponents to a .134 batting average in 34 2/3 innings. Bautista has struck out 50 and walked 23.“The dugout phone rang in the seventh inning last night and I thought, ‘That’s not good,’” Mansolino said. “Then I heard it hung up abruptly and I knew it wasn’t good.
Tony Mansolino
The Orioles will use a committee closer system in the short term, with right-handed relievers Seranthony Domínguez and Yennier Cano leading the bullpen.“We just have to hope it’s not too serious,” added Mansolino.
Tony Mansolino
Bautista won’t be a free agent until 2028, but he is arbitration-eligible after this season. The 6-foot-8-inch, 285-pound pitcher is in the final year of a two-year, $2 million contract. With the Orioles out of the wild card race, they are expected to be active as sellers before the July 31 trade deadline.“We will have to promote their roles,” Mansolino indicated. “We will solve it.”
Tony Mansolino
