Orioles activate reliever Félix Bautista from injured list

The Baltimore Orioles activated reliever Félix Bautista from the 60-day injured list on Saturday, allowing the former closer to return after recovering from right shoulder surgery 14 months after his last major league appearance. Bautista, who saved 33 games and struck out 110 in 61 innings during the 2023 season, earned an All-Star nod but missed the final month of the 2023 campaign and all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery.

He posted a 2.35 ERA in nine minor league rehab games. Manager Craig Albernaz stated that Bautista is "as close to full go as he could be." The Orioles also optioned Cade Povich and Heston Kjerstad to Triple-A Norfolk, activated Christian Franklin from the 10-day injured list, and transferred Tyler O’Neill to the 60-day injured list.

President of baseball operations Mike Elias announced that Albernaz would return in 2027. The team is currently 75-79, three games behind an AL wild card spot. Trey Mancini, a former Orioles star, signed a one-day contract to retire with the franchise he played for during his eight-year career, marking the end of his eight-year tenure with the team.