SARASOTA, Fla. — Amid some uncertainty over whether or not Félix Bautista shall be deemed prepared for inclusion on the Orioles’ Opening Day roster in six days, the All-Star nearer stays assured he’s trending in that path forward of the staff’s Thursday opener in Toronto.
“That also stays the aim,” Bautista mentioned by way of staff interpreter Brandon Quinones on Friday.
The choice additionally isn’t as much as Bautista, which he understands.
“What can I say? I’m an worker right here, and so they’re those who could make that call,” Bautista mentioned. “Finally, no matter determination they make, I’ll take it in stride.”
The O’s made it clear on the primary day of Spring Coaching that they might be taking a cautious method with Bautista, who underwent Tommy John surgical procedure in October 2023. The 29-year-old has had a gradual ramp-up, having appeared in 5 Grapefruit League outings after pitching in Friday’s 9-1 loss to a Tigers break up squad at Ed Smith Stadium.
Bautista has had combined outcomes. Two of his outings have been scoreless, however he has a 7.71 ERA over 4 2/3 innings. He couldn’t full the sixth on Friday, when he recorded two outs (each strikeouts) and allowed an opposite-field, wind-aided solo house run to Zach McKinstry.
Supervisor Brandon Hyde was beforehand noncommittal when requested whether or not he was assured Bautista can be on the Opening Day roster on Thursday.
“No. We’re nonetheless speaking about our roster,” Hyde mentioned. “We haven’t solidified something there but.”
Hyde reiterated an identical sentiment after Friday’s sport.
“Too quickly to say,” Hyde mentioned.
A priority may very well be that Bautista’s velocity nonetheless isn’t fairly what it was pre-surgery. In 2023, his sinker averaged 99.5 mph and will contact triple digits.
On Friday, Bautista’s heater sat within the 95-97 mph vary and touched 98 as soon as in the course of the 26-pitch outing. A giant motive for the right-hander’s success throughout his two MLB seasons — over which he has a 1.85 ERA and 48 saves in 121 appearances — has been his means to dial up his fastball and blow it previous hitters.
“I do assume that with time, and as we get into actual video games,” Bautista mentioned, “that velocity will begin to get again up a little bit bit.”
Bautista’s different choices seem like in nice form. His strikeouts ended with Ryan Kreidler swinging and lacking on a splitter and Jake Rogers whiffing at a slider. Bautista can be making an attempt to implement a cutter, which stays a piece in progress.
However Bautista’s newest outing wasn’t his sharpest, as Hyde famous in his evaluation.
“I assumed he was OK. I assumed he sort of bought drained there towards the top a little bit bit,” Hyde mentioned. “I assumed he threw some good splits. Didn’t assume the command was his finest tonight. Robust time sort of getting his fastballs by guys a little bit bit.
“That is Spring Coaching for him, and so I believe when the season begins and there’s 40,000 folks there, I believe the adrenaline will in all probability kick in a little bit bit extra.”
A very powerful facet of Bautista’s return is his well being, and that continues to be going properly. So whether or not Bautista — who’s scheduled for yet one more Grapefruit outing on Sunday vs. the Braves in North Port — is prepared for Opening Day or doesn’t make his 2025 debut till a bit later, his long-term outlook seems to be constructive.
“I felt good. My arm feels actually good,” Bautista mentioned. “And I believe, proper now, crucial factor is feeling wholesome and ensuring I really feel good on the market.”
