Injured Orioles closer, Félix Bautista, anticipates 12-month absence from the team following surgical repair on his throwing shoulder.

In a significant blow to the Baltimore Orioles, their closer Felix Bautista will be sidelined for the majority of the 2026 season following surgery on his torn rotator cuff and labrum in his throwing shoulder.

Bautista, who had an impressive 2025 season with a 2.60 ERA and 19 saves in 35 appearances, was already expected to miss the remainder of the current season. Across 34 2⁄3 innings, he struck out 50 and walked 23 unintentionally.

The Orioles are now relying on a combination of Keegan Akin, Yennier Cano, and Deitrich Enns to handle save opportunities in Bautista's absence. This marks a shift in their late-inning pitching strategy, as they move towards a committee approach.

The loss of Bautista might not significantly impact the Orioles' chances in the AL East or wild card race, given their current position in last place and 8 1⁄2 games out of the third and final wild card spot. However, if the Orioles aim to return to contention in 2026, they might need outside help due to Bautista's extended absence.

Bautista's 2025 season was not his first impressive performance. In 2023, he had an ERA of 1.48 in 56 games and earned his first All-Star selection. He finished 11th in the American League Cy Young vote that year. For his career, Bautista has an ERA+ of 199 and an FIP of 2.62 across parts of three major-league seasons.

As for a replacement closer for the 2026 season, no publicly available information has been released by the Baltimore Orioles. With Bautista's successful surgery behind him, fans and the team will be hoping for a swift recovery and a strong return to form when he is ready to take the mound again.