Baltimore Orioles Manager Provides Troublesome Injury Update on Superstar Closer

The Baltimore Orioles enter play on Tuesday night with the best record in the American League and 2.5 games up in the race for the American League East crown.

While the Orioles have already clinched a playoff berth and remain very much in contention for the World Series title, they still remain in a troubling spot regarding superstar closer Felix Bautista, who has been on the injured list with an elbow problem.

Per Dani Wexelman of Sirius XM:

Brandon Hyde on Felix Bautista's status on Power Alley: "He's feeling good. He's going to throw today, we're just monitoring it right now. I'm know we're running out of time a little bit. That's the only update I can give. We'll see how he is tomorrow, if he throws well today...

Brandon Hyde on Felix Bautista's status on Power Alley: "He's feeling good. He's going to throw today, we're just monitoring it right now. I'm know we're running out of time a little bit. That's the only update I can give. We'll see how he is tomorrow, if he throws well today...
— Dani Wexelman (@DaniWex) September 26, 2023

we'll continue to progress it. But he hasn't thrown enough, he's had about a month off. We only have 6 games left...depending on how he feels, there is an injury in there, we wanna be smart."

we'll continue to progress it. But he hasn't thrown enough, he's had about a month off. We only have 6 games left...depending on how he feels, there is an injury in there, we wanna be smart."
— Dani Wexelman (@DaniWex) September 26, 2023

That's certainly not great news. Originally, O's fans were worried that Bautista might miss the rest of this year and deep into next year, but optimism started to grow that Bautista could come back and help this season as the team chases the crown.

Now, we just don't know. Perhaps Bautista could make it back for the playoffs, but he won't have had much time to get in game action if so, making for an interesting dynamic.

Bautista is 8-2 out of the bullpen this season with a microscopic 1.48 ERA. He's got 33 saves and has struck out a whopping 110 batters in 61.0 innings. Regularly able to touch 100 mph, he's one of the most uncomfortable at-bats in all of baseball. He was named to the American League All-Star team this year.

The Orioles take on the Nationals on Tuesday night.

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