Felix Bautista's Recovery: No Rush to Pitch in 2026
The Orioles aren't rushing Felix Bautista back to the mound in 2026, despite his impressive progress from shoulder surgery.
Bautista, a hard-throwing right-hander, is making great strides in his recovery from August 2025 surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum. However, Baltimore has no plans to rush him back into action. While his throwing progression will be closely monitored, the expectation is that Bautista won't significantly impact fantasy baseball in 2026, if at all.
But here's where it gets interesting...
The Orioles have a new closer in Ryan Helsley, who signed a two-year contract in November. Helsley has a big opportunity to shine as the club's top closer, after struggling with the Mets in 2025. With a 7.20 ERA through 20 regular-season innings, Helsley is looking to bounce back and prove himself.
So, what does this mean for fantasy baseball owners?
While Bautista's recovery is promising, fantasy baseball owners should be cautious. The Orioles aren't rushing him back, and his impact in 2026 remains uncertain. On the other hand, Helsley's opportunity to shine as the team's closer could be a significant development for fantasy owners.
What do you think? Will Bautista's recovery be a fantasy baseball game-changer in 2026? Or will Helsley's opportunity to shine be the bigger story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
