Bautista recovering from injury to right hand

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Orioles reliever Félix Bautista might not be available to pitch until after the All-Star break after injuring his right hand yesterday in a freakish accident prior to batting practice.

Bautista said he was using a rubber exercise band to loosen his muscles, part of his usual pregame routine, and a hook detached from the fence and struck his hand.

“The band pretty much snapped,” Bautista said via interpreter Brandon Quinones.

Bautista didn’t know whether he’d be ready for today’s game that closes out the unofficial first half of the season.

“I’m going to go through some drills and some testing today and try to see how that feels,” he said. “But in the meantime, I’m going to do everything I can to get ready for after the All-Star break and be ready to go.”

Manager Brandon Hyde didn’t offer any details yesterday when asked about Bautista walking from the bullpen area to the dugout during the game. He jokingly used a hockey term, saying it was “upper-body soreness.”

“First for me, somebody on my club. I have heard about that from other teams,” Hyde said today.

“We caught a break, and fortunately he does feel better today. I’m hoping that he’s available out of the ‘pen today. I’m sure the hand’s still really sore. It’s just an unfortunate accident yesterday.“

Bautista has become an important cog in a surprising bullpen, posting a 1.72 ERA and 0.982 WHIP in 39 appearances as a rookie. He’s struck out 44 batters in 36 2/3 innings and gained Hyde’s trust to be used in high-leverage situations.

“It’s been very emotional, very exciting for me,” Bautista said. “I feel like I’ve done a really good job, and all I want to do is keep it going in the second half.”

Bautista first had to make the 40-man roster, which he did prior to a Rule 5 draft that was canceled due to the lockout. Then, he had to break camp with the team.

The long-shot who seems to be here for the long haul.

“I know it’s been surprising, especially for me a little bit, as well,” he said. “But I always knew that whenever I got a chance to pitch and do well that I’d do a good job.”

The Orioles can finish no worse than .500 in the first half. A win today puts them two above the mark. It also would match the 2018 total of 47.

“For me, it just means we’ve taken a big step forward, where we are and where we’ve come the last few years, and how much our players have gotten better,” Hyde said. “If you throw out the first 20 games, our guys have reason to believe we can win every series and we can compete in our division. We’ve played well, especially past that three-week mark. Happy with how we’re playing and just want to continue.

“Going into this year, the No. 1 goal was to have our players continue to improve, but also show Orioles fans that we are improving and we’re putting a good product on the field and an exciting team to watch and our guys are getting better, and I feel like we’ve done that so far. I just want it to continue in the second half.”

Hyde knows how he wants his rotation lined up after the break, but he’s going to wait until later in the week to announce it.