FelixBautista

News: 2 days agoBautista (elbow) will throw a couple more live batting practice sessions before getting into game action, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Spin: It's worth noting that Kubatko reported Monday that Bautista said he "should" get in a game after this week's session, and now it sounds like he'll need at least one more live BP before getting into games next week at the earliest. He will either throw Wednesday or Thursday after throwing 25 pitches Sunday.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Recovery from Tommy John surgery cost Bautista the entirety of 2024, but baseball is expected to have its best reliever (at the time of the operation) back in time to close for the Orioles come Opening Day. In 2023, he registered the sixth-best strikeout rate (46.4%) of any pitcher with at least 60 IP, and became only the eighth pitcher in history with at least 30 saves, 110 strikeouts and a sub-1.50 ERA. Whether Bautista's raw stuff will approach those heights in his first season back following surgery is a fair question, but perhaps his spring training might provide some hints. All signs point to his being worthy of a top-five selection at his position in fantasy leagues regardless.