Not much on the home from Sarasota happened on Saturday. With rain filling the day on Sunday, the Orioles did some indoor activities for the day.
The news of the day was Félix Bautista and his progression with his recovery. The 2023 AL Releiver of the Year and All-Star had Tommy John Surgery at the beginning of October after being forced to shut down in August.
“Honestly, it really does feel a lot better.”
– O’s closer Félix Bautista on his recovery
Bautista is aiming for Opening Day 2025 but has said that if it is possible and is needed, he would like to pitch towards the end of this season. However, that’s a long shot.
Bautista is still on track to begin throwing at the six-month schedule. The Orioles moved Bautista to the 60-day injured list to make room for newly acquired outfielder Peyton Burdick on the 40-man roster.
After a recent follow-up surgery, Bautista has still kept to his routine, which allows him to perform elbow, shoulder and lower body exercises. The Mountain has also done research on his surgery and rehabilitation.
“I actually have had a few friends who had Tommy John as well. So I’ve been able to talk to them a little bit about what the process has looked like for them.”
– O’s closer Félix Bautista on his recovery
Manager Brandon Hyde specified his intentions and his thoughts when it came to how the Orioles would respond without Bautista.
“With missing him [Bautista], he’s a big loss, but other guys need to step up. And [we] signed Craig Kimbrel, also. But we’ll always be thinking about him. We’ll start the year with Craig closing out games for us, and hopefully, he can stay there.”
– O’s manager Brandon Hyde on the absence of Félix Bautista
The Orioles traded away lefty D.L. Hall to acquire Corbin Burnes, but with Cole Irvin possibly moving to the rotation to start the season, the Orioles now have fewer left-handed receivers available.
Cionel Pérez and Danny Coulombe appear to be locks for the roster. Bruce Zimmermann, Nick Vespi, Keegan Akin, Tucker Davidson and Andrew Suárez will all be fighting to make the roster and become available arms throughout the year.
After pitching the home opener in 2022 for the Birds, Zimmerman spent most of last season in Triple-A Norfolk before making his season debut in June. It was discovered in July that Zimm had a core muscle injury, and he managed it with cortisone injections to finish the season.
Zimmermann is healthy and in the mix for a roster spot after having core muscle surgery in October. The Maryland native will be trying to show he has what it takes to compete in the big leagues.
“Basically, I was just trying to add a little more umph, in a way, to all my stuff because I liked the shapes and the way they were moving and how I was utilizing them. It was just due to the fact I was pitching hurt a little bit that I didn’t have the same velo or pop to those pitches. First thing was just trying to get healthy and strong again and make sure I was ready to compete every day. The last month and a half, since I came down here early, I’ve really been trying to dial in the pitches and things like that that you’d normally do as you’re building up.”
– O’s lefty Bruce Zimmermann on his experience last year and prepping for this season
Newly acquired ace Corbin Burnes threw live batting practice on Saturday. One veteran said batters need to anticipate where Burnes is going to throw, or he’s nearly impossible to hit.
Kyle Bradish, who will start the season on the injured list with a UCL sprain, threw again today after starting his throwing program on Friday. Bradish said his arm felt good after Friday’s session.
The Los Angeles Angels claimed infielder Livan Soto off waivers from the O’s. Baltimore had DFA’d Soto after claiming infielder Diego Castillo off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.
The Orioles turned around and DFA’d Castillo on Sunday, as they have acquired left-hander Matt Krook from the New York Yankees for cash considerations and needed to make room on the 40-man roster.
Krook was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. He then was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in the Evan Longoria deal before the Yankees selected him in the Rule 5 Draft in 2020.
Krook would make his major league debut last season when he pitched four innings, allowing 11 runs on eight hits, six walks and three strikeouts over four appearances.
In Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Krook posted a 1.32 ERA and 1.059 WHIP in 27 appearances, striking out 55 batters in 34 innings. Of Krook’s 187 appearances in minors, 95 have come as a starter.
Lastly, the Orioles announced that player alumni Scott McGregor, Adam Jones, Brian Roberts, J.J. Hardy, Ben McDonald, Eddie Murray, Robinson Chirinos and Matt Wieters will be guest coaches throughout spring training. It will be exciting to see what these O’s legends will provide to this young ball club.
Tomorrow starts a new week, and all players are required to report by Tuesday, February 20. We will see what the next day holds in store as spring training continues.
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