Back in August 2024, Baltimore Orioles closer was throwing off a mound, about a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery. At the time, Orioles general manager Mike Elias made it clear that the team wouldn’t rush his return, with the expectation that he would be fully ready to close games in 2025.
Despite some speculation that he could help the Orioles during their playoff run, Elias quickly shut down those rumors. In addition to Tommy John surgery in September 2023, he underwent a debridement and ulnar nerve transposition in February 2024, further extending his recovery timeline.
Now, 18 months post-surgery, he is nearing the long end of the typical recovery period. He has made two spring training appearances, striking out three batters, but the Orioles continue to take a cautious approach. With Opening Day just weeks away, manager Brandon Hyde has yet to commit to Bautista being on the active roster.
“We’ll kind of see where he is at the end of camp and if we feel like he’s ready to pitch in the big leagues for us, whether it’s right away or giving him a little bit more time. We haven’t determined that yet,” Hyde told reporters, including The Baltimore Sun.
Baltimore has been careful with Bautista from the start, holding him out of spring training games until last week. In his most recent outing, he allowed two hits and a run in one inning, with three days of rest between appearances. There have been no reports of setbacks, but the uncertainty surrounding his Opening Day status remains notable, especially given the struggles of Craig Kimbrel in the second half of last season.
Before his UCL injury in August 2023, Bautista was dominant. He earned an All-Star selection, was named to the All-MLB First Team, and won the Mariano Rivera Reliever of the Year Award. He finished the season with an 8-2 record, 33 saves, and a 1.48 ERA in 56 games, striking out 110 batters over 61 innings (a 16.2 K/9 rate). His 2.8 fWAR ranked 20th among all pitchers at the time of his injury.
While his return is progressing as expected, the Orioles are in no rush, ensuring that their elite closer is fully prepared before rejoining the bullpen.
Bautista’s career has been a slow burn for more than a decade. Originally signed by the Miami Marlins as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2012, he spent three years in their organization before being released in 2015.