Akin on Bautista surgery: “Definitely a little surprised there"

Orioles reliever Keegan Akin was on an injury rehab assignment in the minors, like so many of his teammates this season, when he first heard about it.

Closer Félix Bautista informed the club in the seventh inning of a July 23 games in Cleveland that he couldn’t pitch. Interim manager Tony Mansolino heard someone slam the dugout phone and knew immediately that the call was troubling. Akin had the same feeling about 500 miles away in Allentown, Pa.

The only information shared by the club pertained to discomfort in the right shoulder that Mansolino described as “significant.” The Orioles didn’t downplay it, but tears in both the rotator cuff and labrum were jolting.

“I didn’t really have an idea, honestly,” Akin said. “It happened when I was on a rehab and I just heard that it wasn’t good, and from the explanation when it happened, they weren’t quite sure what it was. That’s why I think it took so long and a few extra doctor’s appointments to make sure. It’s one of those things, you’ve got to make sure what’s going on there. It’s a pretty serious injury.

“Definitely a little surprised there. It’s just unfortunate.”

Teammates hurt for Bautista, who battled back from the elbow injury and Tommy John surgery that cut short his 2023 All-Star season. He missed the entire 2024 season and had to convince the team this spring that he should break camp. Every exhibition appearance was another attempt to solidify his argument.

The cruelty is extreme. Bautista is a longshot to pitch next season, and shoulder surgeries are more apt to ruin or severely alter a career than an elbow procedure. If he does return from it, can he find the same velocity or regain the feel for his pitches? If not, can he still be effective?

The Orioles signed Bautista to a two-year, $2 million deal in September 2023, covering the season that he’d spend resting and rehabbing. He’s eligible for arbitration the next two winters before reaching free agency, where the really big bucks figured to be waiting. About a dozen years after the Marlins released him and he’d pitch for the Orioles Dominican Summer League team.

An uncertain future includes whether the Orioles offer another two-year contract or he eventually moves onto another organization. But it’s much too early to dive into the financial side of this mess. The emotions are raw.

“Just unfortunate,” Akin said. “He’s so good and makes it look so easy. I can tell you that from example over the last couple weeks. He makes it look a lot easier than what it is.

“Obviously not good, and wish the best for him and a speedy recovery. I don’t know the timeline on it. I don’t know that you can really put a timeline on it right now. Just hope for the best and we’ll see him next spring, I’m sure. I don’t know if I’m gonna see him the rest of the year here. I think he’s down in Florida. But see him next spring and hopefully he can get back on track and stay healthy.”

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias already had to rebuild a bullpen that lost high-leverage relievers Bryan Baker, Seranthony Domínguez, Gregory Soto and Andrew Kittredge at the trade deadline. He’s got to find another closer. Edwin Díaz and Robert Suárez, younger brother of Albert Suárez, are the bigger-ticket items in free agency if they decline their options and hit the market. Below them are Ryan Helsley, Raisel Iglesias, Kenley Jansen, Devin Williams, Aroldis Chapman and Kyle Finnegan, among others.

Yennier Cano phoned Bautista Wednesday to check on his friend, to see how he felt and offer encouragement. Surgery can’t break their bond.

“It’s difficult,” Cano said through interpreter Brandon Quinones. “It’s a guy who has already lost over a year because of Tommy John, so knowing that he’s gonna lose that much time because of this surgery, it’s not easy. I think we all feel for him, we all love having him around. It’s a difficult thing for him.

“He told me it’s difficult. It’s not easy. But just hoping that he’ll fight his way back, stay strong mentally and be able to come out of this, as well.”

* Reliever Rico Garcia didn’t pitch last night after inheriting a bases-loaded, no-out jam Tuesday in Boston and striking out three consecutive batters.

Garcia began to warm that night without his cap, which wasn’t done out of forgetfulness or superstition – though he should keep the same routine after his escape act. It’s a common occurrence.

Apparently, Garcia doesn’t want to waste time while the PitchCom wireless communication device is inserted, so he starts throwing until someone hands the cap to him.

Now you know.

* Former Orioles pitcher David Hess reached a remarkable milestone earlier this week that isn’t related to his baseball career.

Hess shared the following on social media:

“An angiosarcoma diagnosis is terrifying, but if you’re able to get to 1 year in remission there’s a drastic increase in survivability. I had a scan yesterday that came back all clear getting me to that 1 year mark. Thankful is an understatement.”

The Orioles drafted Hess in the fifth round in 2014 and he appeared in 47 games over parts of three seasons. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2021 with the Rays, the same year that he was diagnosed with a mediastinal germ cell tumor in his chest, a rare and aggressive mass described as the size of a cantaloupe.

Hess announced in 2023 that he was found to have angiosarcoma of the lung, also rare and aggressive and with a low survival rate, but he responded favorably to treatments and didn’t need surgery.

Hess is pitching again, this time with the independent High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League, where he’s made eight relief appearances and posted a 3.18 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 17 innings. He calls it “a return” instead of a comeback.

Here’s an idea: Invite Hess to return to Camden Yards and throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Let him receive the ovation that he deserves.

I’m guessing that he’d come back for it.