MLB Weekly Digest October 2nd Edition: Orioles Bautista Needs TJ

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The prior week in MLB was about a reliever for a team in the American League who will undergo Tommy John surgery. A club in the National League has decided to fire their manager, and a team has clinched a playoff spot for only the fourth time in franchise history.

Baltimore Orioles Reliever Felix Bautista Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Baltimore Orioles reliever Felix Bautista will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow over the next few weeks, general manager Mike Elias mentioned several days ago, per Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post.

Mike Elias just announced that Felix Bautista will undergo Tommy John surgery in the next few weeks and won’t be available in October. Said nothing changed as he tried to get ready, but they “ran out of time” to get him playoff-ready.

— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) September 30, 2023

He will be out for most of the 2024 MLB season and might not pitch until 2025.

The typical recovery period for Tommy John surgery pitchers is between 12-18 months.

However, there are some instances where relievers have returned sooner from the operation.

Bautista has not pitched since August due to a UCL injury in his elbow.

The loss of Bautista for the postseason and going into next year is huge for the Orioles, as he was spectacular in their bullpen in 2023.

The reliever posted a 1.48 ERA in 61 innings pitched (56 games) with 110 strikeouts, 26 walks issued, four home runs surrendered, 33 saves, a 281 ERA+, 1.88 FIP, and a 0.91 WHIP.

The club did sign Bautista to a two-year through 2025, per Janes.

Elias also said that the Orioles agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Bautista that means he’s under contract through 2025, much like they did with John Means. Didn’t disclose the terms. https://t.co/gIKPsu3lY7

— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) September 30, 2023

The Orioles made a similar two-year contract with left-handed pitcher John Means after he had Tommy John surgery in 2022.

Hopefully, Bautista has a successful procedure and will not experience any setbacks in his recovery.

San Francisco Giants Fire Manager Gabe Kapler After Four Seasons

The San Francisco Giants have decided to relieve manager Gabe Kapler of his duties, per a club announcement several days ago.

pic.twitter.com/Vd5fWUtQw6

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) September 29, 2023

Kapler managed the Giants for four years, and the team had some success, but it was not enough.

This marks the first time the Giants have fired a manager since Roger Craig replaced Jim Davenport with 18 games left during the 1985 season, per Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic.

The Giants announced that they have fired manager Gabe Kapler. This is the first time the organization has relieved a manager of duties since they replaced Jim Davenport with Roger Craig with 18 games remaining in the 1985 season.

— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) September 29, 2023

Kapler recorded a 295-248 record during his time with the Giants, which included a franchise-record 107 wins in 2021 as they won the National League West title that season.

However, the club missed the postseason in 2022 with an 81-81 record, and they have been eliminated from the postseason with 79 wins during the 2023 campaign.

The Giants selected bench coach Kai Correa to be the interim manager for the club during the series this past weekend, per John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Giants’ interim manager is Kai Correa

— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) September 29, 2023

The Giants will have a busy offseason, determining who will be their next manager and how to construct the roster to contend in 2024.

Miami Marlins Clinch Playoff Spot for Fourth Time in Franchise History

I USED TO PRAY FOR TIMES LIKE THIS. pic.twitter.com/eWhkWsBJ0U

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) October 1, 2023

The Miami Marlins are postseason-bound, as they clinched a spot in the playoffs for just the fourth time in franchise history.

They defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday and eliminated the Chicago Cubs from postseason contention.

The Marlins previously made the playoffs as a wild-card team in 1997, 2003, and 2020.

They won the World Series in their first two playoff appearances.

The Marlins making the MLB postseason is a surprise, but they have earned it.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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