Orioles’ Félix Bautista faces another long recovery after surgery to repair rotator cuff and labrum

FILE -Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista throws a pitch during the ninth inning of a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023, in Baltimore. Baltimore’s Félix Bautista was a unanimous winner of the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award and Milwaukee’s Devin Williams won the Trevor Hoffman National League honor on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)(AP/Julio Cortez)

BALTIMORE (AP) — Orioles closer Félix Bautista has had another major operation, this time to repair a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum.

The team says Bautista had surgery Tuesday with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. The development comes just over a week after interim manager Tony Mansolino announced the 6-foot-8 right-hander would miss the rest of the season because of a “significant” shoulder injury.

Bautista is likely to miss most of next season too, part of a string of health issues that have limited him since he made the All-Star team in 2023.

Bautista was one of the most imposing relievers in baseball that year, posting 33 saves and a 1.48 ERA. But he missed the last month of that season, plus the playoffs, because of a right UCL injury. After Tommy John surgery, he was out for all of 2024.

Bautista was able to make it back this year, going 1-1 with a 2.60 ERA and 19 saves, but after 34 2/3 innings, he’ll miss significant time again.

The Orioles were off Wednesday. They begin a four-game home series Thursday night against Houston. Baltimore remains in last place in the AL East but has won six of its last seven, all against postseason contenders.

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