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An MRI on closer Félix Bautista’s right shoulder was inconclusive, but he’s going to remain unavailable for a considerable period.
Bautista went on the 15-day injured list after throwing a season-high 34 pitches on July 20 in Tampa and experiencing a decline in velocity.
“There’s a lot of swelling in the shoulder, can’t quite make a determination quite yet or diagnose it,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino. “Once the swelling goes down enough to scan it again, then we’ll have more information, and that’s gonna be probably more weeks than days.”
Bautista underwent elbow reconstructive surgery in October 2023 and didn’t pitch again until 2025. He hasn’t recaptured the triple-digit heat that was common during his All-Star season, but he recorded 19 saves in 20 chances and had a 2.60 ERA in 35 games. He struck out 50 batters in 34 2/3 innings but also walked 23.
The need for a closer lessens with the Orioles in last place and approaching the trade deadline as sellers, but they want to remain competitive, and their options are limited with Bryan Baker dealt to the Rays and Gregory Soto to the Mets. Seranthony Domínguez and Andrew Kittredge also are trade possibilities.
It's also “incredibly disappointing,” Mansolino said, because Bautista worked so hard to return from his elbow procedure and is so popular in the clubhouse.
“He’s gonna be out for a while,” Mansolino said. “He’s a really important part of the Baltimore Orioles. Very unfortunate set of circumstances.”
Mansolino won’t speculate whether Bautista misses the remainder of the season.
“I just know within a couple weeks he’ll get another MRI and we’ll go from there,” he said.
Mansolino didn’t have an update on Grayson Rodriguez, who’s shut down with elbow soreness.
“More information in the coming week or so,” Mansolino said.
Rodriguez has missed the entire 2025 season with elbow and lat injuries.
Albert Suárez, who made one appearance in the season’s first series in Toronto and remains on the 60-day injured list with a right subscapularis strain, will face hitters in batting practice later this week – perhaps by Thursday.
More good news: Catcher Adley Rutschman was reinstated today from the injured list and is starting tonight.
“It’s a big piece, man,” Mansolino said. “He walked in, brought a lot of energy in the room right away. In the kitchen. I was sitting there when he came in. A lot of smiles and a lot of hugs.
“I’m fascinated by sticking him in that four hole, kind of sitting behind Gunnar (Henderson), having a switch-hitter sitting right there, and the effect of that on Gunnar and just trying to navigate our lineup if all four of those guys at the top are cooking and fulfilling and reaching their potential. It's an absolute dynamic four hitters. And the guys behind them are pretty good, too.”
The Orioles designated Jacob Stallings for assignment to make room for Rutschman. The choice came down to Stallings or Alex Jackson, and neither one can be optioned.
Stallings went 4-for-35 in 14 games. Jackson is 7-for-26 with four doubles and three home runs.
“It was pretty split,” Mansolino said. “There’s a group that really liked Stallings and how he called the game, how he handled our pitchers. Our pitching group is very fond of that and very appreciative of that. I just think with Alex Jackson, I think that part of his game is going to catch up as he gets to know our pitchers, and I think that’s fair. But the receiving ability is elite. He can throw. He swung the bat pretty good. It’s a younger, athletic body in some ways.
“I think as you try to start thinking about this year and next, it kind of clarifies the decision a little bit in some ways. But Jacob Stallings was absolutely incredible here. For a guy to walk in for three weeks and be here however long it was, four weeks, and earn that much respect in that clubhouse, it says a lot about that guy.”
Catcher Maverick Handley is through concussion protocol and swinging a bat while recovering from a right wrist sprain.
