Bautista sidelined with UCL injury and Hall recalled

The Orioles are shutting down closer Félix Bautista and placing him on the 15-day injured list with “some degree of injury” to his ulnar collateral ligament, according to executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias. DL Hall is recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

Elias didn’t know whether Bautista would pitch again this season. Too soon to give a definitive prognosis. But it’s a significant blow.

I’ll have more from Elias later.

Hall joined the Orioles on April 29 to pitch in relief in Game 1 of a doubleheader in Detroit. He allowed two runs and struck out seven batters in three innings.

The Orioles put Hall on a de-load program with Triple-A Norfolk, and then a strengthening program in Sarasota to regain arm strength and velocity. His work in spring training was limited by back soreness.

The fastball is back, sitting at 96-98 mph since he rejoined the Tides. He’s made six appearances this month and allowed two runs and three hits with 18 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings.

The bullpen was Hall’s destination, with attempts expected again next spring to develop him as a major league starter. But he arrives early rather than being recalled when rosters expand next month.

Bautista underwent further testing this morning after leaving last night’s game with two outs in the ninth inning and two strikes on pinch-hitter Michael Toglia. He threw a 102.3 mph fastball that missed its mark, spun and stumbled toward first base. He kept flexing his right hand.

A teammate said later that Bautista felt much better after the game. The pain in the elbow/biceps area was momentary, just on the one pitch, but alarming.

A shutdown period was expected at the least.

There were no issues with Bautista's elbow before that pitch. Elias noted how losing Bautista for any period isn't "easy to cover."

Bautista was unable to secure his 34^th save. The All-Star closer is 8-2 with a 1.48 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 56 appearances, and he’s struck out 110 batters in 61 innings.

"When the best closer in the game leaves the game,” said manager Brandon Hyde, “that's never a good feeling.”

A closer by committee approach could be the club’s response, led by All-Star Yennier Cano. Danny Coulombe, who threw one pitch to strike out Toglia, Shintaro Fujinami, Cionel Pérez and Jacob Webb also would be in the mix, and Hall might get an opportunity. Matchups and availability are the considerations for Hyde.

Tyler Wells was a Rule 5 closer in 2021 and he tossed a scoreless ninth inning last night at Norfolk to earn the save. He’s coming back in a relief role.

* Kyle Bradish moves up to tonight’s start, bringing a 3.03 ERA this season and a 1.90 ERA this month in four outings. He’s never faced Colorado.

After hitting five home runs in his first 50 games this season, Gunnar Henderson has belted 17 in the next 67. Fourteen have come against right-handers.

Henderson is batting .395 (17-for-43) with three home runs, 12 RBIs and eight extra-base hits during a 10-game hitting streak.

Henderson's three go-ahead home runs in the seventh inning or later are tied with Cal Ripken Jr., Ron Hansen and Tito Francona for the most by a rookie in Orioles history.

Austin Hays is slashing .360/.484/.800 (9-for-25) with seven extra-base hits during a seven-game hitting streak.

A victory tonight would be the 81^st for the Orioles, guaranteeing a second straight non-losing season. They’ve won six of their last seven, nine of 12 and 17 of 24.

The Orioles could be 33 games above .500 for the first time since the end of the 1997 season. Their 39 comeback wins are one behind the Reds for the major league lead.

Jack Flaherty is expected to start Sunday.

The Rockies, losers of five games in a row and 12 of their last 15, are starting right-hander Chris Flexen. He’s allowed 18 earned runs and 20 total with 32 hits in 25 2/3 innings since signing with Colorado July 14. The Mariners traded him to the Mets on July 3 and he was released three days later.

Flexen has made two career starts against the Orioles and allowed six runs in 11 innings. Ryan Mountcastle is 3-for-5 with two doubles. Cedric Mullins is 2-for-4 with a double.

Colorado’s bullpen has a 14.40 ERA during the team’s five-game losing streak.

For the Rockies
Charlie Blackmon RF
Ezequiel Tovar SS
Ryan McMahon 3B
Elias Díaz C
Nolan Jones LF
Brendan Rodgers 2B
Harold Castro DH
Michael Toglia 1B
Brenton Doyle CF

Chris Flexen RHP