The Orioles’ championship hopes just got a whole lot murkier.
Felix Bautista, the shutdown closer for the AL East-leading Orioles, has hit the injured list with “some degree of an injury” to his UCL, general manager Mike Elias told reporters Saturday.
Bautista, a flamethrowing right-hander, has perhaps been the best reliever in MLB this year.
He has a 1.48 ERA over 61 innings with 33 saves, striking out over 16 batters per nine innings in the process.
“Félix has been such a massive part of our team. Best closer in the game,” manager Brandon Hyde said, according to the Associated Press. “It’s been amazing to watch him do what he does. Last night sucked. Bottom line.
“Just hoping for the best for him.”
Felix Bautista is out with an UCL injury. APThe closer appeared to injure his throwing shoulder on a 102 mph fastball to the Rockies’ Michael Toglia in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday night, grimacing as he was forced to exit the game just a pitch away from getting the save.
“I don’t want to speculate, but it looked to me like that one particular pitch might have had some unfortunate movement pattern,” Elias said. “He was not having any issues prior to that pitch.”
Baltimore, who defeated the Rockies, has surged to contender status in the American League this season, standing at 71-48 with a three-game lead in the AL East and the best record in the league.
On Saturday All-Star reliever Yennier Cano, who previously was used primarily as the setup man forming a dominant 1-2 punch with Bautista, got three straight outs in the ninth for his fifth save in 10 tries.
“That’s the story of our team: Next man up,” said starter Kyle Bradish, who allowed just two runs in six-plus innings to improve to 9-6. “I have full confidence in our bullpen. Big arms out there. You can’t replace (Bautista) but you’ve got to fill the gap.”
Felix Bautista has been one of the best closers in baseball this year. APAfter Cano got the final out, he was congratulated by Bautista, who’s a good friend as well as a teammate.
“I think my emotions were a little high,” Cano said through an interpreter. “I just wanted to do my best imitation of him.”
Before Saturday’s save Cano had tossed 61 innings and possesses a minuscule 1.62 ERA, though he has whiffed fewer batters than Bautista, with just 8.41 hitters struck out per nine.
Yennier Cano will be expected to pick up the slack in the bullpen. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConThe bullpen’s dominance has helped manage the Orioles’ middling rotation, which ranks 15th in the majors with a 4.38 ERA this year.
— With AP
