“Orioles closer Félix Bautista has had another major operation, this time to repair a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum. The team says Bautista had surgery Tuesday with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. The development comes just over a week after interim manager Tony Mansolino announced the 6-foot-8 right-hander would miss the rest of the season because of a ‘significant’ shoulder injury. Bautista is likely to miss most of next season too,” ESPN wrote.In May, the Orioles decided to part ways with manager Brandon Hyde.“The Baltimore Orioles fired manager Brandon Hyde on Saturday, hoping a new leader can spark a turnaround of the most disappointing team in Major League Baseball. Hyde, who had managed the Orioles through the end of their rebuild and helped lead them to the past two postseasons, oversaw an underwhelming start. The Orioles fell to 15-29,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote.
Looking ahead to next season, a familiar face could replace Hyde: former Baltimore manager Buck Showalter.
“I have tremendous respect for Showalter, having seen how, by the sheer force of his nature, he turned around the Orioles’ clubhouse culture after being hired by Peter Angelos and Andy MacPhail during the 2010 season. Currently, the team seems to play a very sloppy brand of ball. With Showalter on the beat, that wouldn’t happen. The flip side is Showalter is a control freak. I don’t see the veteran manager and Elias getting along unless ownership really wanted this. Showalter has had five bites at the apple, and I can’t think of anyone having had six. But judging by the reaction he received coaching first base for the Savannah Bananas on Aug. 1 at Camden Yards, he’d sure reinvigorate the fan base,” Pressboxonline.com’s Stan Charles wrote.
Showalter’s return to the Orioles would likely be his last job before retirement. The young squad simply needs someone to come in and establish a culture. Winning shouldn’t be a concern with Showalter, who has over 1,700 career wins.
