Bautista Returns to Orioles as Trey Mancini Retires

Bautista back on the mound

The Baltimore Orioles have activated reliever Felix Bautista from the 60 day injured list. The former closer is set to return 14 months after his last major league game following right shoulder surgery.

Bautista was a key player in 2023, saving 33 games and striking out 110 batters. However, he missed the end of that season and all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. In 2025, he recorded 19 saves before a torn labrum and a torn rotator cuff ended his season. He recently posted a 2.35 ERA in nine minor league rehab games.

Manager Craig Albernaz said that Bautista is as close to full go as he could be. He added that the team will try to be as smart as possible with his usage, but noted that the game is chaotic and unpredictable.

In other roster moves, the Orioles optioned pitcher Cade Povich and outfielder Heston Kjerstad to Triple A Norfolk. They also activated outfielder Christian Franklin from the 10 day injured list and moved Tyler O'Neill to the 60 day injured list.

Mancini signs one day deal to retire

Former first baseman and outfielder Trey Mancini has signed a one day contract to officially retire with the Orioles. Mancini spent the majority of his eight year major league career in Baltimore, making 701 of his 836 appearances with the team.

Mancini hit 129 home runs and drove in 404 runs during his career in the majors. He was an emotional leader for the team after recovering from colon cancer, which forced him to miss the entire 2020 season. He won the American League Comeback Player of the Year award in 2021 after hitting 21 home runs.

He was traded to Houston in 2022, where he helped the Astros win the World Series. After short spells with the Chicago Cubs and in the minor leagues, Mancini played five games for the Los Angeles Angels in June before deciding to retire. He said his goal was to end his career on his own terms so he could look back with no regrets.