While highly unlikely, Baltimore Orioles' All-Star closer Felix Bautista says he'd love to make it back by the end of the regular season in 2024.
He underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of 2023, missing the entire O's playoff run. Baltimore won 101 games last season and took home the American League East title, but were beaten in the ALDS by the Texas Rangers.
Per Orioles' reporter Roch Kubatko of MASN on social media:
Gonna try this 1 more time, if it hasn’t posted. Felix Bautista says elbow feels good. Rehabbing here and Sarasota. Goal is Opening Day 2025 but if able to pitch late this season, wants to do it. #orioles
Again, it's unlikely, and the O's have already addressed his absence by signing closer Craig Kimbrel, but it's good to have a goal for Bautista. For the team, he'll be looked at as a total wild card and a complete bonus. They have Kimbrel and Yennier Cano implanted in the back end of the bullpen for 2024 already.
Bautista had a phenomenal year in 2023, going 8-2 out of the bullpen with a microscopic 1.48 ERA. He had 33 saves and struck out a whopping 110 batters in 61.0 innings. Regularly able to touch 100 mph, he's one of the most uncomfortable at-bats in all of baseball. He was named to the American League All-Star team last year as well.
He made his Major League debut in 2022 and has 48 career saves.
The flamethrower is 28 years old and is under contract through 2027.
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