Orioles All-Star Closer Talks About His Tommy John Recovery

Felix Bautista provided an update on his injury recovery during a Baltimore Orioles event in the Dominican Republic.

Among the Baltimore Orioles players and coaches at the team’s event at its new Dominican Republic Baseball Academy on Tuesday was relief pitcher Félix Bautista.

Per MLB.com, which was at the event, Bautista reported that he feels “really good” as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Bautista has been working on his rehabilitation in his native Dominican Republic since Christmas. Before that he was in Sarasota, Fla.

Bautista said to MLB.com that the “ultimate goal” for his return is Opening Day of 2025. But, he also indicated that he didn’t want to rule out a return in 2024 if it’s possible. He said it would ultimately be up to the team.

Bautista had surgery on Sept. 30 to repair his UCL injury. The usual recovery time for the surgery is anywhere from 12-18 months. If Bautista were to return at the end of the 2024 season, that would be on the fast end of the recovery timetable.

Some position players, such as Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper, have been able to recover and hit the field inside of 12 months. But, then again, Harper doesn’t have to pitch.

The Orioles are covered for 2024 as they signed veteran closer Craig Kimbrel to a one-year contract earlier in free agency. That said, they’ll still miss Bautista in 2024.

Despite missing the final month of the 2023 season, he was named to the All-MLB First Team and the Mariano Rivera Reliever of the Year after he went 8-2 and saved 33 games with a 1.48 ERA in 56 games. He struck out 110 hitters in 61 innings for a nine-inning rate of 16.2 strikeouts.

At the time of his injury he had a 2.8 fWAR, which was 20th among all pitchers.