Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista notched his 20th save of the season in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Rays. Bautista entered the game up by two in the bottom of the eighth with two outs and a runner on first. He ended the inning with a lineout and stayed on to pitch the ninth. Bautista hit the leadoff batter but then got a strikeout, a fly-out, and another strikeout to end the game. The 28-year-old has been fantastic for fantasy managers this season, converting all but four save opportunities with a 1.04 ERA, 17.91 K/9 rate, and 4.41 BB/9 rate. Bautista has been a fantasy All-Star so far and should continue to serve as one on a strong O's team.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista shut down the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, securing a 4-2 win. Bautista was asked to record the final four outs of this one, as he came into a sticky situation with runners on first and second and two out in the eighth. He got a strikeout to end that inning and then retired the Jays in order in the ninth. The big righty has been a force out of the O's bullpen, recording 18 saves in 22 attempts with a 1.11 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. He has also fanned a whopping 66 hitters in 32 IP. He's one of the best in the game right now.

Baltimore Orioles reliever Felix Bautista shut down the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth to close out a 6-3 win. Bautista allowed just a one-out single and struck out a pair. He has been magnificent this season, pitching to a 1.20 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 62:17 K:BB ratio over 30 IP. The 27-year-old is now 16-for-20 in save opportunities, putting him third in the MLB. Although Yennier Cano is having himself a terrific season, Bautista is locked into the closer role with how he's pitching and is one of the best bullpen options in fantasy.

Baltimore Orioles reliever Felix Bautista recorded his 14th save of the season on Tuesday, throwing a perfect ninth inning to secure the 8-5 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. The right-hander managed to strike out a batter, and he now owns a 1.33 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 48.2% strikeout rate across 27 innings after the outing. Bautista's turned into one of the best closers in all of baseball, and fantasy owners should be excited to start the 27-year-old in all formats.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista could not convert the save opportunity in the ninth inning of Tuesday's 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Yankees. Bautista came in to face the top of the Yankees lineup up by one. He struck out Gleyber Torres but then allowed a solo home run to Aaron Judge before getting the final two outs on strikeouts. The flamethrower has now converted 11 of 15 save opportunities with a 1.50 ERA, 18.00 K/9 rate, and 6.00 BB/9 rate. Command of his split-finger fastball has been off at times, but Bautista still remains a higher-end fantasy option, especially given how well the O's have played.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista earned his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Rays. Bautista entered the game in the eighth inning up by two with two outs and a runner on second. He allowed the runner to advance to third on a wild pitch and allowed a walk before ending the half-inning with a strikeout. He then allowed back-to-back walks to start the ninth inning before getting a double play and a fly-out to end the game. The 27-year-old has now converted eight of 11 save opportunities with a 1.59 ERA, 15.88 K/9 rate, and 6.88 BB/9 rate. Bautista's fastball-splitter combo is excellent when working, but he has had trouble locating his pitches to this point. This understandably may make fantasy managers nervous, but Bautista should continue to be a higher-end fantasy option on a strong team as long as he continues to negate his walks with strikeouts.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista blew a save on Sunday, pitching one inning while striking out one and walking one. With the Orioles holding a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the tenth inning, Bautista fired a wild pitch which resulted in ghost runner Sam Hilliard scoring to tie the ball game. The run is unearned but it still counts as a blown save against Bautista. For the season, the 27-year-old owns a 1.72 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 29:10 K/BB ratio to go along with seven saves over 15 2/3 innings.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista picked up his fifth save of the season in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Nationals. Bautista came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth up by one. He got the first two outs on a pop-out and a groundout, allowed a single and a stolen base, and got the final out on a groundout. The 27-year-old has been everything fantasy managers had hoped for, converting all but one save opportunity with a 1.04 ERA and a 16.62 K/9 rate. He should continue to be a higher-end fantasy option, particularly if the O's continue to produce offensively.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista picked up his second save of the season in Monday's 2-0 win over the Rangers. The big righty entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with a two-run lead and delivered a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. It was encouraging to see a clean inning for Bautista, who had allowed at least one run in each of his first two appearances, culminating in a save and a loss. Hopefully, this outing will help Bautista find his groove for the O's and for fantasy managers.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) made his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and looked good, striking out two in his one innings of work. He didn't walk a batter or allow a hit. The 27-year-old right-hander also hit 99 mph on the radar gun, so it appears his arm is fully healthy after being brought along slowly in camp due to knee and shoulder issues. There is plenty of time for Bautista to be ready to go on Opening Day, and he's fully expected to be Baltimore's primary closer again in 2023. Bautista has been dominant in his short time with the O's and has plenty of fantasy appeal for an improving Orioles team.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista will make his spring debut Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates after dealing with knee and shoulder issues this spring. Bautista was hampered by a knee injury late in the 2022 season while he underwent a shoulder strengthening program this spring. The 27-year-old took over closing duties for the Orioles in the second half of 2022, racking up 15 saves to go along with a stout 2.19 ERA and 34.8% strikeout rate across 65 appearances. Expected to be ready for Opening Day, Bautista should be a quality source of saves in 2023 as the Orioles' full-time closer while once again racking up plenty of punchouts as he's done throughout his professional baseball career.

Baltimore Orioles pitchers Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) and DL Hall (back) are both scheduled to throw live batting practice sessions in camp next week. Hall also threw a side session on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Bautista, who should operate as Baltimore's closer when healthy, is being slowly built up in spring training after complaining of knee and shoulder soreness. If he doesn't suffer any setbacks, Bautista should be ready for the start of the 2023 regular season. Hall, 24, won't be ready for Opening Day due to a lower back injury, but he shouldn't be on the shelf for long to open the year. The Orioles clearly view Hall as a future starter in their rotation, but don't be surprised if he begins the year down on the farm when he's ready to go.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) said he threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and will throw another one on Saturday. At this point, Bautista is feeling good and remains on track to be ready for Opening Day, barring a setback with his knee and shoulder soreness. The 27-year-old right-hander's next step in spring training will be to throw to live hitters. He's slowly ramping up the intensity of his bullpen sessions. As long as Bautista doesn't have any setbacks, he is fully expected to enter the 2023 season as the O's primary closer after posting a 2.19 ERA (2.91 FIP), 0.93 WHIP, 15 saves, 14 holds and 88 strikeouts in 65 2/3 relief innings in his rookie season in 2022. He's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 9 fantasy reliever for an ascending Baltimore club.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) completed a bullpen session on Sunday. O's manager Brandon Hyde noted that Bautista is right on track, and his session was quite promising. Bautista had been dealing with knee and shoulder soreness late last season and is slowly ramping things up as the season approaches. The 27-year-old was one of the most electric arms in his rookie season after composing a 2.19 ERA (2.91 FIP) and 88 strikeouts, with a 0.92 WHIP. Bautista additionally maintained a 34.8% strikeout rate with a 9.1% walk rate. The Orioles are hoping to have him healthy soon, but there's a chance that he could miss a few regular season games. If Bautista remains injured, Baltimore will have a few internal options to deploy as their closer in Cionel Perez.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) will throw another bullpen session on Saturday at 80 to 85 percent intensity. Bautista continues to increase the intensity of his throwing sessions in spring training as he recovers from knee and shoulder soreness that also bothered him late last season. The 27-year-old right-hander is taking things slowly early in camp, and as long as he doesn't have any setbacks, the team is optimistic that he'll be ready for the start of the 2023 regular season. Relief pitchers typically don't need much time to ramp up in camp, so Bautista has that working for him. With Dillon Tate expected to miss the first month of the season, the back end of Baltimore's bullpen will be a little vulnerable if Bautista also isn't healthy early on.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) said that he's scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Tuesday at 75 percent to 80 percent intensity. He felt good after his last bullpen, but he made sure to reiterate that his progression will be deliberate and not rapid. The 27-year-old right-hander has been slowed by left knee soreness and right shoulder soreness, two injuries that date back to the end of the 2022 campaign. Bautista isn't expected to pitch in spring training games until mid-March, but that will still give him time to be ready for Opening Day, barring any setbacks. With Dillon Tate out for the first month of the season, Cionel Perez and Bryan Baker would be gifted some closing chances if Bautista isn't ready to go.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) is feeling good and hopes to be ready for Opening Day. He has thrown four bullpen sessions in spring training and went at 70 percent effort on Friday. Bautista thinks he can start getting into spring games on March 15 or 16. Since he's a reliever, he will only need around four to five innings of work to be ready for the regular season. The Orioles will be without Dillon Tate for the first month of the season, so the Orioles can't really afford Bautista to be on the injured list to start things off as well. The 27-year-old had a breakout year in 2022 and will be the team's closer again in 2023 as long as he's healthy. If Bautista isn't ready on Opening Day, Cionel Perez and Bryan Baker will have opportunities to close out games for the O's.

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) will be late getting into Grapefruit League games in spring training while on a strengthening program for his knee and shoulder, according to general manager Mike Elias. However, it's still possible that Bautista could be ready for Opening Day. The 27-year-old finished the 2022 season on the injured list with left knee soreness, and it's apparently still bothering him, in addition to a shoulder injury. He won't need all that much time to get ready since he's a reliever, but he's one to watch this spring. Reliever Dillon Tate (elbow) will open the year on the injured list, so Baltimore's bullpen is limping into the start of 2023. If Bautista isn't ready, Mychal Givens could be the O's primary closer early on.

Baltimore Orioles right-handed rookie reliever Felix Bautista (knee) is being shut down for the final three games of the regular season this week due to left knee discomfort. Manager Brandon Hyde said it isn't a long-term injury and Bautista isn't expected to have any worries in the offseason. The 27-year-old Dominican burst onto the scene in his first MLB season and posted a 2.19 ERA (2.92 FIP), a 0.93 WHIP, 15 saves and 88 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings pitched in his 65 relief appearances. Based on how he pitched in his first season with the O's, he should be expected to open the 2023 as Baltimore favorite to close. With Bautista out for the final three games this week, Dillon Tate should receive any save chances that arise.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Felix Bautista (knee) has some soreness in his left knee after sustaining an injury on Friday. The 27-year-old jammed his knee in the eighth inning of a 2-1 win over the Yankees. It's unclear if he'll be available on Sunday but there's a good chance he won't pitch anymore this season with Baltimore being eliminated from playoff contention on Friday. Bautista had an excellent season for the Orioles, though, putting together a 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 88:23 K/BB ratio with 15 saves and 14 holds.