The Orioles’ mountainous closer tossed a perfect inning in his first game since 2023.
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
The Mountain is back.
Yesterday’s exhibition tie against the Red Sox brought a long-awaited moment for Orioles fans: the return of Félix Bautista to a major league mound for the first time in 19 months.
Just seeing a healthy Bautista back in action a year and the half after he underwent Tommy John surgery would have been special enough, regardless of the results. But for good measure, the results were superb. Bautista mowed down all three batters he faced, striking out the first two and inducing a weak groundout from the third. He reportedly hit 97 mph on his fastball and seemed to have good break on his splitter. He was noticeably emotional as he walked back to the dugout, and yes, he received a vintage Adley hug.
You couldn’t have asked for a more impressive return from Félix. He pitched well, his stuff was crisp, and he looked healthy. Assuming he doesn’t come down with any lingering arm soreness the next couple of days, everything should be set for Bautista to continue his ramp-up. The O’s, understandably, are going to take things cautiously with their All-Star closer for now, but they have to be very encouraged by what they just saw.
Bautista wasn’t the only Orioles pitcher who impressed yesterday. Projected starters Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano each worked a scoreless two-inning stint, with Morton allowing one baserunner and Sugano three. Maryland’s own Matt Bowman, a dark horse to make the roster, struck out two in a perfect inning. And on the offensive side, Adley Rutschman continued his hot start to the spring with a two-run homer in the first. Adley is so back, you guys.
The O’s are off today before a stretch of 14 games in a row. Their next game is tomorrow at 1:00 against the Twins in Fort Myers, where Grayson Rodriguez will look to keep the good vibes going for the Birds’ pitching staff.
Links
Bautista pitches spotless inning in return: ‘Highlight of camp’; Orioles, Red Sox tie, 6-6 – BaltimoreBaseball.com
Félix mentioned in his post-game interview how much he specifically missed Adley’s hugs. Aw!
What to know about the Orioles and Nationals resolving their MASN dispute – The Baltimore Banner
Our long national nightmare is over. Danielle Allentuck details what the end of the MASN dispute will mean for the Orioles going forward.
Jon Meoli: Enrique Bradfield Jr. used time in Orioles major league camp to work on bunting – The Baltimore Banner
Learning how to beat out some bunt hits won’t necessarily help Bradfield stick in the majors long term, but it couldn’t hurt, either. I’m kind of surprised he wasn’t doing it already.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! And happy 86th birthday to Frostburg, Md., native Jack Fisher, a righty who played four years for his hometown Orioles from 1959-1962. Other former Birds born on March 4 include a couple of right-handed pitchers named Rodríguez — Richard (35) and Nerio (54) — and the late infielder Bob Johnson (b. 1936, d. 2019).
On this date in 2012, the Orioles made a no-name signing that turned up big. They inked right-hander Miguel González, a 28-year-old who had been released by two organizations and never pitched in the majors, to a minor league deal. González made his first MLB start in July and pitched seven dominant innings against one of his ex-clubs, the Angels, kicking off a solid four-year career with the Birds in which he posted a 3.82 ERA in 101 games and delivered two excellent postseason starts.
And on this date in 2014, the Orioles made a big-name signing that turned into nothing, bringing in two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana on a minor league deal. The injury-riddled Santana hadn’t pitched since 2012 but the O’s planned for him to join them in the second half of the season. Santana, though, tore an Achilles at extended spring training, ending his hopes of an MLB comeback.