BALTIMORE—Félix Bautista was activated before Saturday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, though he didn’t pitch in it. When Bautista appears in a game, it will be the first appearance for the 31-year-old right-hander since July 20th, 2025.
Bautista had surgery on his rotator cuff and labrum in August 2025, his second major surgery in less than two years. He had Tommy John surgery in October 2023. He’s only pitched one complete season in the major leagues, 2022, his first year.
He was determined to pitch in 2026, even if it’s just in a few games.
“Incredibly satisfying, knowing how long I was out, all the hard work I had to put in to get through that,” Bautista said through a team translator. “And being here now, seeing the fruits of all that hard work, it feels incredibly satisfying.”
Bautista doesn’t expect to return to the closer role immediately.
“I’m ready for whatever situation they want to put me in, but I’m not expecting for them to put me into the ninth inning right away,” he said.
The second time he went through a long rehab process was no easier than the first.
“Just as difficult, but I stayed firm the entire time, focused on the hard work,” Bautista said. “I knew it was just as a long of a road, and it took a lot of time, but my entire focus the entire time was just on the work itself, staying focused on the work, and I think that’s why being able to come back and being here now feels so good because of how long it took, but also just because of my work and being able to come back.”
Even though the Orioles are on the verge of elimination, Bautista needed to pitch this season.
“It’s very important,” he said. “It’s a goal that I set for myself was being able to come back this year as I continue to put in the work and boxes continue to be checked off. As I saw it become more and more of a possibility, something I was very happy about. Absolutely, this is something that I wanted for myself to be able to come back at some point this season.”
It’s been a disappointing season for the Orioles, and Bautista, who didn’t get to pitch in the postseason in either 2023 or 2024 because of the Tommy John surgery.
“You feel it,” he said. “It’s not easy. I don’t know how much of a chance we still have to get in the playoffs, but I know that at the very least the guys are focusing on doing whatever they can and coming back next year ready to compete.”
Ecker on Henderson
Bench coach Donnie Ecker has watched Gunnar Henderson play in each Orioles game but two this season. Henderson has had his worst season offensively, hitting .224 with a .707 OPS, 23 home runs and 58 RBIs.
“I’ve watched him not waver from his competitive spirit every single day,” Ecker said. “His standard is a lot higher than all of ours for him. We want that for him.
“I know he’s looking forward to finishing strong and being able to get healthy and evaluate what that looks like for him.”
Orioles-Brewers lineups
Dylan Beavers-LF
Pete Alonso-1B
Gunnar Henderson-SS
Coby Mayo-3B
Samuel Basallo-DH
Jeremiah Jackson-2B
Colton Cowser-CF
Leody Taveras-RF
Carlos Narváez-C
Brandon Young-RHP
Brewers
Jackson Chourio-LF
Brice Turang-2B
William Contreras-C
Jake Bauers-1B
Joey Ortiz-3B
Christian Yelich-DH
Cooper Pratt-SS
Garrett Mitchell-CF
Sal Frelick-RF
Jacob Misiorowski-RHP
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