Bautista back in Orioles’ clubhouse, De Léon preparing for relief role; O’s-Yankees lineups

BALTIMORE— Félix Bautista was in the Orioles’ clubhouse for the first time this season on Thursday. Bautista, the intimidating closer, is on the 60-day injured list after August 2025 surgery on his rotator cuff and labrum.

Bautista was the Reliever of the Year in 2023 when he struck out 110 batters in 61 innings and had 33 saves before he suffered an elbow injury in August 2023 that required Tommy John surgery. He was 8-2 with a 1.48 ERA in 56 games.

The 6-foor-8, 31-year-old right-hander missed the 2024 season and rebounded in 2025 with 19 saves and 50 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings before he was injured in July. He was 1-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 35 games.

Bautista is expected to start a rehab assignment in the coming days.

“It’s great to have him around,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Seeing that big smile, and also you always forget how massive of a human being he is, the physical presence.

“It’s good to have him around. It’s a sign of good things. Just like all of our guys as they’re going through the rehab presence to come into Baltimore, check in, have everyone get eyes on them. He went outside and played catch.

“That’s why he’s here. We want to make sure he’s in a good spot. We’re supporting him and making sure he has everything he needs.”

De Léon a possible bullpen addition

Left-hander Luis De Léon, the Orioles’ No. 7 prospect, pitched in short relief on Wednesday night for Triple-A Norfolk. De Léon walked three and struck out two in a scoreless inning.

The Orioles are preparing the 23-year-old for a major league bullpen role so he can potentially help the Orioles down the stretch.

Currently, the Orioles have two left-handers, Josh Walker and Grant Wolfram. The Orioles get to add another pitcher on September 1^st when the rosters expand to 28 players.

De Léon was with the Orioles until the final days of spring training and allowed one hit in 2 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out two.

“I was extremely impressed with him,” Albernaz said. “Just his demeanor, especially for a young player, navigating his first big-league camp. His first outing was electric. He had a great mound presence about him, pounded the strike zone. He has elite stuff, a little funky arm angle, too.

“It’s keeping options open for us, but he’s an exciting young talent and a great kid.”

What’s going on in the minor leagues? Juaron Watts-Brown allowed six runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings in Norfolk’s 7-0 loss to Nashville.

The Tides were limited to five hits. Heston Kjerstad had three of those hits.

Norfolk right-hander Nestor German, the Orioles’ No. 21 prospect, has been placed on the injured list.

Notes: The Orioles will play three games against the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend. On Friday night, Trevor Rogers (8-8, 4.15) will start against Freddy Peralta (5-10, 5.27.) The game will be broadcast exclusively on Apple TV. Saturday’s starters are Brandon Young (9-3, 3.52) and Shane McClanahan (9-6, 3.25). On Sunday, Shane Baz (4-13, 4.02) will start against Nick Martinez (12-4, 3.05).

Orioles-Yankees lineups

Orioles

Jackson Holliday-2B

Pete Alonso-1B

Gunnar Henderson-SS

Samuel Basallo-DH

Christian Encarnacion-Strand-3B

Dylan Beavers-LF

Leody Taveras-RF

Colton Cowser-CF

Carlos Narváez-C

Kyle Bradish-RHP

 

Yankees

Trent Grisham-CF

Ben Rice-DH

Luis Garcia Jr.-1B

Heliot Ramos-LF

Jazz Chisholm-2B

George Lombard Jr.-SS

Spencer Jones-RF

Austin Wells-C

José Caballero-3B

Will Warren-RHP

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