O's put All-Star closer Félix Bautista on IL with UCL injury - ESPN

BALTIMORE — All-Star reliever Félix Bautista was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday by the Baltimore Orioles, who can only hope his ailing elbow won't keep him sidelined for the rest of the season.

«Early indications are he has some degree of injury to the ulnar collateral ligament,» Orioles general manager Mike Elias said. «We have not firmed down any timetable or anything of that nature.»

Although a UCL injury can lead to Tommy John surgery, Elias expressed hope that the team's closer can return to help the American League East leaders secure a playoff berth or perhaps provide aid in the playoffs.

If not, then the Orioles simply will have to proceed without him.

«A Félix Bautista absence, even if it's a short one, is not something that's easy to cover. He's the best reliever in baseball right now,» Elias said. «But we do have many talented arms.»

The injury occurred Friday night in Baltimore's 5-4 victory over Colorado. Bautista retired the first two batters in the ninth inning and had a 2-2 count on Michael Toglia before the right-hander walked off the mound in obvious discomfort following his 12th pitch.

After being examined by team trainers, Bautista left the game.

Elias believes the injury occurred on that final pitch and was not the result of throwing in discomfort.

«I don't want to speculate, but it looked to me like that one particular pitch might have had some unfortunate movement pattern,» the GM said. «He was not having any issues prior to that pitch.»

Bautista this season has established himself as one of baseball's most imposing and effective closers. The 6-foot-8, 285-pounder is nicknamed «The Mountain» because of his size, and his fastball regularly is clocked in excess of 100 mph.

Bautista took