More on Bautista's second live batting practice session and other Orioles notes

SARASOTA, Fla. – Félix Bautista completed his second live batting practice session this morning in the intense Florida heat on the Camden Yards replica field, and it won’t be much longer before he pitches in his first Grapefruit League game.

Heston Kjerstad and Gary Sánchez kept alternating at-bats until Bautista faced seven hitters. He threw 25 pitches with Triple-A catcher Maverick Handley behind the plate.

Kjerstad struck out swinging twice and Sánchez was caught looking. Kjerstad also lined to right field and either singled or doubled into left-center field. Sánchez also popped up and grounded to third base.

One of Bautista’s splitters caused Sánchez to flail at it below the zone. He had an audible reaction to it before turning to Handley for apparent confirmation on the pitch. Or perhaps they were just admiring the quality.

Bautista has graduated from bullpen sessions. The first live batting practice was Sunday while the Orioles traveled to Clearwater to play the Phillies.

“Probably do another one or two with him and then get him in some games, so he’s progressing extremely well,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

“We love how the ball’s coming out of his hand right now. We’ll see how it goes. But right now he feels great and that’s the main thing. His fastball’s ticking up every time out.”

Hyde set seven relief appearances as the usual benchmark to get a reliever ready for Opening Day.

“Sometimes that’s back fields. Guys can get creative with that,” he said. “I think seven live action outings … maybe it’s five, maybe it’s six, maybe it’s eight. I think we just need to assess after every outing what his recovery’s like and all those types of things.”

In case you missed the update earlier this morning, Jordan Westburg hasn’t played since Saturday’s exhibition opener due to some lower-back soreness. He won’t return to the lineup for at least a couple of days.

“He’s really improving a lot every day,” Hyde said. “He should be OK sometime in the next few days. … He felt it in the cage just a little bit swinging and it’s a precautionary few days off.”

Westburg is receiving treatment and could start swinging a bat again over the weekend.

Orioles relievers today behind starter Grayson Rodriguez include Justin Armbruester, Dylan Coleman, Roansy Contreras, Colin Selby and Nathan Webb.

The following pitchers are here from minor league camp: Yaqui Rivera, Alex Pham, Dylan Heid, Zane Barnhart, Dominic Freeberger, Trent Turzenski and Riley Cooper.

Outfielder Tyler O’Neill wore a T-shirt at batting practice with the sleeves cut off and joked about trying to coax his teammates into doing the same. After all, the sun’s out.

Asked what impresses him about O’Neill, Hyde smiled and said, “The uniform.”

“What a great professional," Hyde said. "He comes to the park with a great attitude every day. Ton of energy. Loves being with the guys. Loves to play. We just did outfield drills. He can really play defense. And he’s a big-time threat at the plate to beat you in a lot of different ways. He’s been wonderful so far this camp and I’m really happy to have him.”