Orioles Activate Félix Bautista, Shut Down Ryan Helsley

Bautista, 31, underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum last August. This was the second major injury absence of his career, as he missed the entire 2024 season due to an October 2023 Tommy John procedure.

The 6-foot-8 flamethrower was among the game’s best closers from 2022 to 2023, recording 48 saves with a 1.85 ERA, 10% walk rate and 40.4% strikeout rate over 126.2 innings. Upon returning from Tommy John surgery in 2025, Bautista posted a 2.60 ERA and 35.2% strikeout rate over 34.2 innings before shoulder issues forced him to the injured list.

Bautista began a rehab assignment Aug. 23 and had a rough first outing with Double-A Chesapeake, allowing three walks and three earned runs in one-third of an inning. The right-hander has since made eight appearances with Triple-A Norfolk, posting a 2.35 ERA with nine strikeouts and four walks over 7.2 innings.

As Bautista rejoins the Orioles’ bullpen, another top reliever’s season comes to an end. Elias announced Saturday that right-hander Ryan Helsley, who signed a two-year deal this past offseason to serve as the club’s interim closer, would be shut down for the rest of the year.

Helsley, 32, first went on the 15-day injured list July 3 (retroactive to June 30) with right elbow discomfort before being transferred to the 60-day IL on July 19. Elias stated that even though the right-hander is healthy and was doing “pretty well” in his rehab, the club felt there was not enough time left in the season for him to properly ramp up for a big league return.

Across 17 appearances this season, Helsley posted a 4.11 ERA and 30.9% strikeout rate while converting eight of his nine save opportunities. The two-time All-Star has a $14 million player option for 2027.

The Orioles have utilized a closer-by-committee approach in Helsley’s absence, with right-handers Andrew Kittredge and Yennier Cano among those who have gotten save opportunities. It is unclear if Bautista will immediately take back ninth-inning duties.

To make room for Bautista’s return, the Orioles optioned left-hander Cade Povich to Triple-A and transferred outfielder Tyler O’Neill to the 60-day IL. They also reinstated outfielder Christian Franklin from the 10-day IL and sent down Heston Kjerstad.

Baltimore entered Saturday with a 75-79 record, sitting three games back of a Wild Card spot with eight games left to play in the regular season.

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