Bautista expresses optimism about Opening Day

SARASOTA, Fla. – With his fourth bullpen session completed, the intensity level on a gradual increase, Orioles closer Félix Bautista is gaining confidence that he’ll break camp with the team and be ready to pitch on Opening Day in Boston.

Bautista didn’t begin throwing until last month. The Orioles placed him on a rehab program for his left knee and worked to strengthen a right shoulder that became fatigued in September.

The delays in getting back on a mound put into question whether Bautista would be included in their eight-man bullpen.  

“Thank God I feel really good,” he said this morning via interpreter Brandon Quinones. “I don’t feel like I have any setbacks, I don’t feel any discomfort or pain in my shoulder or knee, so as right now I hope that I’ll be ready for opening day. I really do.”

Dillon Tate might miss the first month with a strained right flexor/forearm strain, and losing Bautista would strike another potentially damaging blow. Bautista threw again yesterday and headed back indoors, optimistic about his progress and the outlook for his spring training.

“I felt really, really good,” he said. “I was going at about 70 percent, but with those 70 percent, I kind of felt rejuvenated and renovated again, so I felt really good out there yesterday.”

Bautista went from a setup role to closer during the summer and registered 15 saves, a 2.19 ERA and 0.929 WHIP in 65 appearances. He struck out 88 batters in 65 2/3 innings, becoming an integral part of a bullpen that posted the ninth-lowest ERA in the majors.

The Orioles eased Bautista’s workload down the stretch due to weakness in the shoulder, and knee soreness forced him onto the injured list in October. He wasn’t put on an early throwing program during the offseason, with the club instead prescribing rest.

A progression in Sarasota led to his bullpen sessions, the effort levels rising from 55 percent, and he remains pain-free. He said today that he should be cleared to pitch in exhibition games by mid-March.

“I think with about four or five innings, that will be enough to get me ready for opening day,” he said.

Manager Brandon Hyde will have a firmer grasp on Bautista’s status next month. This morning marks the third day of workouts for pitchers and catchers. Much too early to know.

“We’re kind of 'wait and see' with him, if he’s going to get enough appearances and see how he reacts to game situations,” Hyde said. “I’m hoping to get four to five appearances toward the end of camp and then we’ll make a decision if we feel like he needs more or he’s ready to break.”

Hyde said Bautista is on a normal rehab schedule.

“He threw a side yesterday, looked great, and he felt good after,” Hyde said. “Now, it’s just kind of progression from there. See how he recovers from yesterday’s side session. If all good, then move on to the next step, maybe ramp it up a little bit as we go along. Get him some live BPs also. Facing hitters is a little bit different intensity. But right now, his first game action if everything goes well is sometime in the middle of March and then we’ll go from there.”

How can Bautista build on an impressive and often dominant rookie season? Staying away from the injured list would be a good first step.

“I think the most important thing is, obviously, staying healthy,” he said. “After that, it’s trying to help the team win, trying to help the team with whatever I can do to get to where we want to be at the end of the year.”