BALTIMORE—Félix Bautista was in the Orioles’ clubhouse on Friday after throwing nine games in a rehab assignment. Bautista, who was a dominant closer until he needed Tommy John surgery in 2023, returned last season but needed rotator cuff and labrum surgery in August 2025.
Bautista threw one game for Double-A Chesapeake, allowing three runs while recording one out. In eight games for Triple-A Norfolk, he gave up two runs on four hits in 7 2/3 innings for a 2.35 ERA, striking out nine and walking four.
The Orioles have yet to activate Bautista, who threw in the bullpen.
“He’s doing well, he’s here [to] get eyes on him,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “He’s been pitching well and recovering well. We want to get some hands on him, and see where he’s at and try to evaluate for the next steps for him.”
Closer Ryan Helsley, who’s on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, threw a spotless inning last Saturday for Norfolk, striking out a batter but hasn’t pitched since.
“We’re taking it day-to-day with Hels,” Albernaz said. “He had a rehab outing. It went well. Now we’re trying to figure out the next steps and what that looks like for him and for us.”
Albernaz said that the Orioles would consider the importance of the games in helping decide whether Bautista or Helsley pitches in games.
“We try to factor in everything when we make a decision,” Albernaz said. “It’s where the player’s at and how they’re feeling. We don’t want to force them into anything that they’re not comfortable with or physically uncomfortable with.”
Albernaz said the Orioles’ medical team, pitching coach Drew French and assistant pitching coach Mitch Plassmeyer would watch Bautista throw.
“As far as the race and where we’re at, it’s a small factor but the biggest factor is what the players are feeling.”
Update on Holliday, Bradish, Baz, Alexander
Second baseman Jackson Holliday, who’s on the 10-day injured list with left wrist inflammation, will meet with a doctor on Saturday, Albernaz said.
“The inflammation is still there,” Albernaz said. “Still feels it.”
Starter Kyle Bradish, who’s been diagnosed with a sports hernia, is still considering options. He played catch on Friday.
Shane Baz, who left his start on Tuesday night after he was hit on the right elbow with a line drive, said he’s feeling fine and expects to start twice more this season.
Utility player Blaze Alexander, who’s on the 10-day injured list with a lower back injury, celebrated the birth of his first child on Thursday. Albernaz said that Alexander is flying back to Baltimore from Arizona on Saturday. Albernaz thinks there’s enough time for Alexander to return this season.
“I believe so, but also it depends on how he’s feeling. He only had one day of work before he left,” Albernaz said. “Anyone that has kids, when that baby’s born, when you sleep in the hospital room, it’s not the comfiest of sleeps. You’re usually one on a one-seater couch thing. I think that really didn’t help his back.
“When he gets back here, we’ll get hands on him, but I would not rule [him out], but I know Blaze wants to play.”
Can the Orioles still make the postseason?
The Orioles begin their three-game series with Milwaukee three games behind Cleveland for the final wild-card spot. Toronto and Texas are two games behind the Guardians.
The Blue Jays play three games here next week and the Orioles conclude their season with three games at Yankee Stadium.
FanGraphs calculates the Orioles’ odds of capturing the final wild-card spot at 4.4 percent.
“Lucky with our record to still be in it,” Albernaz said. “Our record is definitely not what we wanted it to be by any stretch. To still be in the hunt and to play meaningful games here with nine left is what we want to be. There’s always luck involved in this game in a 162-game season, but ultimately we have to go out and play our game and take care of what we have to, the games in front of us.”
Note: The Orioles activated Cade Povich to start Friday night’s game. Trevor Rogers and Brandon Young are the scheduled starters for Saturday and Sunday. Right-hander Codi Heuer, who didn’t pitch in the three games he was active for, was optioned to Norfolk.
Orioles-Brewers lineups
Dylan Beavers-LF
Pete Alonso-1B
Gunnar Henderson-SS
Coby Mayo-3B
Samuel Basallo-C
Christian Encarnacion-Strand-DH
Colton Cowser-CF
Jeremiah Jackson-2B
Leody Taveras-RF
Cade Povich-LHP
Brewers
Jackson Chourio-LF
Brice Turang-2B
William Contreras-C
Andrew Vaughn-1B
Christian Yelich-DH
Joey Ortiz-3B
Garrett Mitchell-CF
Luis Lara-RF
Cooper Pratt-SS
Dustin May-RHP
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: [email protected]