Baltimore Orioles closer Félix Bautista suffered a torn labrum and rotator cuff following his last start in July. The 30-year-old underwent surgery in late August in Los Angeles, performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. He will miss the rest of the 2025 season and most, if not all, of the 2026 season.
These Are The Players Who Can Plug The Hole Left By Félix Bautista
Losing Bautista in this fashion is about as detrimental a blow to the Orioles after it comes on the heels of their fire sale of the bullpen during the 2025 MLB trade deadline. With the loss of Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto to trades, the team lacks a closer.
Free Agency in 2026 is bound to be plentiful, however, and some names within the farm system deserve a watch. Here are three players the Orioles can turn to replace Bautista.
1) Taylor Rogers (CHC)
2025 Stats (CIN/CHC): 47 appearances; 2-2; 2.29 ERA; 39.1 IP; 34 H and 20 BB (1.37 WHIP); 4 HR; 43 K; .234 OBA
The Orioles may get either Dominguez or Soto back in free agency, depending on how their respective negotiations go. While there haven’t been any notable developments on that, it hinges on whether their new teams go to the playoffs. In that case, the Orioles must be prepared to pivot to free agency at the end of the year.
Rogers offers two major points of value for the team. First, the left-hander holds a low ERA despite an average WHIP rate. He has run into some trouble with walks, ballooning to an 11.7% rate in 2025, along with a fluctuating opposing batting average. In addition, his chase and whiff rates rank below the 40th percentile, along with his barrel rate. His low ERA total suggests he can leave runners on base if he finds himself in a jam.
Taylor Rogers (acquired by CIN) is a productive reliver who relies on soft contact and solid command to neutralize batters
His ability to limit damage should allow him to flourish in the hitter’s paradise that is Great American Ballpark pic.twitter.com/OKL84k5mx7
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) January 29, 2025
Another aspect is that Rogers acts primarily as a groundball pitcher. Over 40% of the balls batted in play are groundballs, while 22% this year are flyballs. That contributes to a low home run rate, which is crucial to offset his elevated WHIP. His lifetime .677 OPS also bodes well for teams seeking help.
Second, he is projected to have a low market value, estimated at around $3.6 million for 2026. The Orioles currently have a $23.3 million payroll for 2026, not including arbitration. If the team wants to keep their tax space, Rogers provides experience and some value, monetarily and performance-wise, for the closer spot or a setup position.
2) Trey Gibson (Triple-A Norfolk)
2025 Stats (3 teams): 21 games (20 starts); 5-5; 99.2 IP, 68 H and 33 BB (1.01 WHIP); 10 HR; 147 K; .185 OBA
If the team really wants to save money for the offseason and look internally to replace Bautista, Gibson offers a cheap and valuable skill set for a closer spot. The undrafted 2023 signee has paid exceptional dividends for the team’s farm system, holding a 3.35 lifetime ERA with 267 strikeouts.
Gibson is continuing his excellence in Triple-A, notching high marks in expected batting average, strikeout rate, and walk rates, walking only 3% of all batters. His chase and whiff rates also seem healthy, around 29% in both categories. While it’s only a small window into his season, 8.2 innings pitched over two starts, there is a lot to like.
Trey Gibson’s first Triple-A start was stupid good.
5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K
1 hard-hit ball allowed
40% CSW%
Topped out at 97 mph pic.twitter.com/j4A5ojKgZj— The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@TheVergePod) August 14, 2025
The 23-year-old holds a five-pitch arsenal, including a plus-fastball and slider. Per his scouting report, he offers a 94 mph fastball along with a low-80s curve and cutter. His sinker at triple-A has been lethal so far, garnering a 50% whiff rate. Questions about his stamina could end up directing him to the bullpen. When Bautista comes back, this could be a really nice one-two punch.
3) Devin Williams (NYY)
2025 Stats: 55 games (18/30 saves); 3-5; 50.1 IP; 5.01 ERA; 37 H and 20 BB (1.132 WHIP); 5 HR; 71 K; .200 OBA
The weird thing about Williams is that, on the surface, he seems like he’s done as a big-league closer. He’s had some very bad performances, including back-to-back months where his ERA was over five while also surrendering four home runs through June and July. On the contrary, his stats display good qualities about him, even with the poor results.
Williams still ranks in the 95th percentile or better in chase, whiff, and strikeout rates. Despite some decline in his expected slugging and hard-hit rate, his expected batting average remains around the Mendoza line of .200. It’s the barrel rate that’s costing him, dropping from the 65th percentile in 2023 to 17th in 2025.
This Devin Williams airbender had 25 INCHES of arm side movement
(via @PitchingNinja)pic.twitter.com/5QfsWKaOKJ
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) May 22, 2025
Essentially, this could be a simple case of bad luck with a new team. His stats with runners on base are bad, and it seems he’s having trouble adjusting to the new climate. Yankees fans don’t like players who suffer from the bad-luck syndrome. This could be a really valuable pickup if the team does not resign him at the end of the season. Williams could thrive in a smaller market like Baltimore.
Main Photo Credits: Melissa Tamez-Imagn Images
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