Félix Bautista: Everything you need to know

Bautista (shoulder) threw a baseball Tuesday for the first time since undergoing surgery last August, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports. The right-hander made 25 throws on flat ground from about 45 feet, clearing his first major hurdle. He said afterward that his arm feels good and that he's still hoping to pitch later this season. Bautista will be cutting it close, as the procedure to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff typically carries a 12-month recovery timetable.

The Orioles placed Bautista (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Friday, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports. The move opens a 40-man roster spot for Bryan Ramos, who was claimed off waivers in a corresponding move. Bautista underwent right shoulder surgery in August of 2025 and may not even pitch during the 2026 campaign, as the Orioles have no plans to rush the hard-throwing right-hander after signing Ryan Helsley during the offseason.

The Orioles aren't going to push Bautista (shoulder) to pitch in 2026, per MLB.com. The hard-throwing right-hander is progressing well from right shoulder surgery in August of 2025 to repair a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum, but Baltimore has no intentions to rush Bautista back into the fray. His throwing progression will be worth monitoring, but the expectation remains that Bautista won't be much of a fantasy factor in 2026, if at all. Ryan Helsley signed a two-year contract with the O's in November and is all set to start the new season with a big opportunity to bounce back as the club's top closer, after limping to a 7.20 ERA through 20 regular-season innings with the Mets to finish last year.