Orioles top Guardians 4-3 on July 25 behind Gunnar Henderson's heroics, but the win is soured as closer Félix Bautista hits the IL. A crucial victory with a cost.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a difference a day makes. The Orioles snapped a frustrating three-game skid with a gutsy 4-3 win over the Guardians, but the sigh of relief was quickly replaced by a collective gasp from Birdland. Just as Gunnar Henderson delivered a clutch go-ahead single, the team announced that closer Félix Bautista is heading to the 15-day injured list. It's the definition of a bittersweet victory, a crucial win overshadowed by a potentially devastating loss.
The Orioles placed closer Félix Bautista on the 15-day injured list... a significant blow to the bullpen.
Let's start with the good news. The Orioles desperately needed a win to avoid a demoralizing four-game sweep at the hands of the Guardians, and they got it. It was a nail-biter, with Ramón Laureano getting the O's on the board early with a two-run shot in the first. But Cleveland clawed back, largely thanks to two solo homers from Steven Kwan. The game hung in the balance until the seventh inning when, with the score tied 3-3, Gunnar Henderson stepped up and laced a single to score Alex Jackson, providing the decisive run. Charlie Morton gave the team a solid start, battling through 6.2 innings, and Jordan Westburg was a pest on the basepaths, scoring twice. It was a team win built on grit, exactly what they needed after a tough stretch.
Now, the gut punch. The news that Félix Bautista is on the 15-day IL (retroactive to July 21) sends a shockwave through the roster. 'The Mountain' has been the most dominant closer in baseball, an automatic door-slammer in the ninth. While the team hasn't disclosed the specific injury, his absence creates a massive void. Who steps into those high-leverage situations? Does the role fall to Yennier Canó or another veteran? To fill the roster spot, the team recalled righty Kade Strowd from Triple-A Norfolk, but you simply can't replace an arm like Bautista's. This will be the biggest test of the Orioles' bullpen depth all season.
While the Bautista news stings, there is some positive movement on the injury front for the pitching staff. Southpaw Cade Povich is progressing well from his hip inflammation, making a rehab start for Norfolk and slated for another this week. Even better, Tyler Wells is throwing live batting practice after his UCL repair, with a potential mid-August return now in sight. Albert Suárez is also moving in the right direction, continuing his bullpen sessions. Getting these arms back will be crucial, especially with the newfound uncertainty in the bullpen.
Adding to the state of flux, Tony Mansolino's successful stint as interim manager has officially concluded. He guided the ship admirably from mid-May through July 23, but as of today, the team has yet to name a permanent manager. It's another key decision looming for the front office as the team navigates a critical stretch of the season.
The Orioles proved their resilience by avoiding the sweep, but now the real challenge begins. Navigating the next few weeks without their All-Star closer will test the character and depth of this team. With key pitchers nearing a return and a managerial decision pending, the next chapter for the 2025 Orioles is about to be written. All eyes will be on the bullpen to see who rises to the occasion.
