‘That’s never a good feeling’ – The Denver Post

Orioles closer Félix Bautista exited in the ninth inning of Friday night’s game against the Colorado Rockies with right arm discomfort, manager Brandon Hyde said after the comeback win.

One strike away from a save, Bautista fired a 102.3 mph fastball for a ball to Colorado’s Michael Toglia. The 6-foot-8 right-hander fell off to the first base side after releasing the pitch and squeezed his right hand multiple times after he regained his balance.

The Orioles convened at the mound, with head athletic trainer Brian Ebel and other members of the Orioles’ staff tending to Bautista. After a minute, he exited the game. Left-hander Danny Coulombe replaced him and needed just one pitch to strike out Toglia and save the 5-4 victory.

Hyde said he would not discuss the extent or nature of Bautista’s arm discomfort. The fifth-year manager did say Bautista wasn’t dealing with any ailments and that his All-Star closer “felt good” before the game.

“Bautista left the game there with some arm discomfort,” he said. “He’s still being checked out. I’m not going to discuss it any further than that. We’re going to get a bunch of tests and see how it is.”

Bautista’s exit put a damper on the win — the Orioles’ 39th come-from-behind triumph this year.

“When the best closer in the game leaves the game, that’s never a good feeling,” Hyde said. “Hopefully he’s OK tomorrow.”

This story will be updated.

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