Félix Bautista and Blaze Alexander Near Rehab Assignments for 61-64 Orioles

Reliever Félix Bautista and utility player Blaze Alexander are scheduled to begin rehab assignments by the end of the week as Baltimore chases a wild-card spot.

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles (61-64) could see the return of reliever Félix Bautista and utility player Blaze Alexander as early as the end of this week. According to the club’s weekly injury report released Tuesday, both players are nearing the start of official rehab assignments. The news comes as Baltimore sits in a three-way tie with the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers for the final American League wild-card position.

Félix Bautista, a 6-foot-8 right-hander, is attempting to return to the mound after missing the entire 2024 season and the majority of 2025. The hard-throwing reliever was a 2023 All-Star, a season in which he recorded 33 saves and maintained a 1.48 ERA. His trajectory was halted in September 2023 by an elbow injury that necessitated Tommy John surgery.

Bautista’s Recovery Timeline and Recent Progress

Following his initial elbow reconstruction, Bautista’s 2025 campaign was cut short in July by a secondary injury. In August 2025, he underwent a second surgical procedure to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum. Despite these setbacks, the right-hander has recently progressed to throwing live batting practice. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz noted on Tuesday that the live sessions have looked great and the pitcher is trending in the right spots.

Albernaz acknowledged the difficulty of returning from two major arm surgeries, stating he had not previously focused on the timeline for Bautista joining the active roster. The manager emphasized that the reliever has done everything possible to facilitate his comeback. The upcoming rehab assignment represents the final stage of a recovery process that has spanned two full calendar years.

Blaze Alexander’s Return from Hand Injury

Utility player Blaze Alexander is also slated to begin a rehab assignment by the end of the week. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since July 13 due to a broken left hand. Prior to the injury, Alexander was a significant contributor to the Baltimore offense, posting a .312 batting average across 82 games played this season.

Alexander’s return would provide a statistical boost to a lineup currently fighting for postseason positioning. His .312 average was established over more than three months of play before the mid-July fracture occurred. The club has not specified the exact location for either player's rehab stint, only that the assignments are expected to commence before the week concludes.

Orioles Wild-Card Standings and Roster Outlook

Baltimore entered Tuesday’s schedule with a 61-64 record, placing them in the heat of the American League playoff race. The tie with Texas and Detroit for the third wild-card spot makes the potential return of a high-leverage reliever and a .300-plus hitter critical for the final stretch of the season.

Bautista’s presence would reintroduce a pitcher who dominated the 2023 season before the elbow injury occurred. His 1.48 ERA that year remains his career benchmark. Meanwhile, Alexander’s return would fill a void in the utility rotation that has existed for over a month. The Orioles will continue to monitor both players as they transition from live batting practice and medical clearance to game action in the minor leagues.