Helsley (0-3) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks without recording a strikeout over two-thirds of an inning, taking a blown save and the loss Friday versus the Dodgers.
Called on to protect a two-run lead, Helsley couldn't get the job done. This was his second appearance since he returned from right elbow inflammation, and he's allowed five runs (four earned) over 1.2 innings in those games. If his struggles persist, he could lose his hold on the closer role for the Orioles, though this was his first blown save of the year and just the second time he's allowed multiple runs. He's at a 5.11 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB through 12.1 innings while converting seven of eight save chances this season.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Reinstated from injured list
Rotowire
The Orioles activated Helsley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.
Helsley wound up being sidelined for seven weeks with right elbow inflammation. He struck out five of seven batters faced over two scoreless rehab innings with Triple-A Norfolk and should slide right back into the closer role in Baltimore. Helsley posted a 2.53 ERA and 15:7 K:BB over 10.2 frames while notching seven saves before he got injured.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Impressive rehab outing
Rotowire
Helsley (elbow) pitched one inning with two strikeouts and no hits allowed for Triple-A Norfolk in his second rehab appearance Saturday.
Helsley turned in a 1-2-3 inning on just 14 pitches. Baltimore has missed the right-hander's presence in the back end of the bullpen since he was placed on the injured list May 1. Before being deactivated, Helsley posted a 2.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB with seven saves in 10.2 innings. He should settle back in as Baltimore's closer once he returns from the shelf.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Beginning assignment Thursday
Rotowire
Helsley (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.
Helsley was cleared to throw live batting practice Monday, and after getting through it without any problems, he's now set to test his elbow in a game setting. The 31-year-old closer has been on the shelf since the beginning of May and will likely require multiple tune-up outings before coming off the IL.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Faces live hitters Monday
Rotowire
Helsley (elbow) threw batting practice against live hitters Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Helsley had already completed multiple bullpen sessions over the last two weeks, but his ability to face hitters Monday means that he's checked off another box in the recovery process for his inflamed right elbow, which sent him to the injured list May 1. If Helsley checks out fine following the workout, the Orioles could clear him to head out on a rehab assignment later this week.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Could begin rehab stint next week
Rotowire
Helsley (elbow) could start a rehab assignment as early as Monday, MLB.com reports.
Helsley threw a bullpen session ahead of Friday's series opener in Toronto. If all continues go well in his recovery from right elbow inflammation, the hard-throwing right-hander appears to be on track for a mid-June return to Baltimore's bullpen. Until Helsley is back in the fold, the Orioles should continue to deploy Rico Garcia as their primary closer.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Tosses bullpen Saturday
Rotowire
Helsley (elbow) threw 15-to-20 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday and may be nearing a minor-league rehab assignment, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Helsley resumed a throwing program by playing catch in mid-May, and he's now progressed to throwing off a mound. The veteran reliever has been on the shelf for over four weeks due to right elbow inflammation, so he'll presumably need multiple rehab outings before being activated. Helsley went 7-for-7 in save chances before getting hurt, and he's fully expected to retake the Orioles' closer role upon his return.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Plays catch Friday
Rotowire
Helsley (elbow) played catch Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
It marked the first time Helsley has played catch since he was placed on the injured list May 1. His elbow is progressing and feeling much better, according to Kubatko. Helsley will likely need a rehab assignment before rejoining Baltimore's bullpen, and it would appear he still has multiple boxes to check in his recovery before getting to that point.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Could resume throwing this week
Rotowire
Helsley (elbow) could be cleared to resume a throwing program later this week, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Helsley was placed on the 15-day injured list this past Friday with right elbow inflammation. Imaging on the closer's elbow came back clean, and he might be ready to throw in a few days after being re-evaluated. Rico Garcia is the top candidate for saves in the Orioles bullpen while Helsely is out, though Yennier Cano, Andrew Kittredge and Anthony Nunez could also be in the mix.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: No structural damage in elbow
Rotowire
Imaging on Helsley's right elbow came back negative Friday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Manager Craig Albernaz said that he isn't too concerned about Helsley's elbow now that the team knows he isn't dealing with any structural damage. He added that the 31-year-old reliever has been dealing with elbow discomfort for the past week but thought the issue would subside on its own. Helsley is now set to remain sidelined until at least May 15, though Albernaz's comments suggest he may not need much more than a minimum-length stay on the IL. In the meantime, Rico Garcia and Yennier Cano figure to be the leading candidates for saves in Baltimore.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Notches seventh save
Rotowire
Helsley worked a perfect ninth inning Tuesday without striking anyone out to record his seventh save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Astros.
Two flyouts and a failed bunt attempt by Jose Altuve got the job done for Helsley, who's a perfect 7-for-7 in converting save chances to begin the year. The right-hander appears to have put last season's troubles with the Mets mostly behind him, and through 10.2 innings for the Orioles he's delivered a 2.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Returns from bereavement list
Rotowire
The Orioles reinstated Helsley (personal) from the bereavement/family medical emergency list Sunday.
Helsley was away from the team for four days to deal with a personal matter. He'll now return to the squad and should immediately reclaim Baltimore's closer role. The Orioles designated pitcher Albert Suarez for assignment in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Secures sixth save
Rotowire
Helsley walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his sixth save of the season in a 6-4 win over the Guardians.
The right-hander continues to get the job done as the Orioles' closer, and Helsley has converted all six of his save chances to begin the season. Last year's homer issues also have yet to resurface -- after he served up nine long balls over 56 innings in 2025 between the Cardinals and Mets, leading to a 4.50 ERA, Helsley has yet to be taken deep over 8.1 innings in 2026 while producing a 2.16 ERA.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Locks down fifth save
Rotowire
Helsley picked up the save Monday against the Diamondbacks, throwing a clean ninth inning. He struck out two.
Helsley didn't face much opposition Monday, firing eight of his 12 offerings for strikes. The hard-throwing right-hander is off to a promising start in his Orioles tenure overall, successfully converting each of his first five save chances while posting a 2.84 ERA. That said, Helsley does have a concerning 1.74 WHIP and 9:4 K:BB over 6.1 innings, so he hasn't necessarily been a lights-out closer.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Converts second save
Rotowire
Helsley earned the save in Sunday's 8-6 win over the Twins, allowing one hit while logging a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.
Things got a little dicey for Helsley in the ninth inning. After Luke Keaschall led off the frame with a single, the Twins got the tying runs on base with two outs following a Gunnar Henderson error. However, Helsley was able to coax a flyout off the bat of James Outman, preserving the two-run victory while converting his second save in as many chances this season. Helsley has allowed just two hits and no walks while striking out four through his first two innings with the Orioles.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: To be used only in save situations
Rotowire
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Friday that he plans to use Helsley strictly in ninth-inning save situations this season, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
There will be some instances when Helsley will be required to pitch in non-save situations, but Albernaz views the righty as a "one-inning guy" rather than someone who could come into games earlier for more than three outs. While it will result in a lighter workload for Helsley, it's probably the best thing for his fantasy outlook.
... See More... See Less
Ryan Helsley: Most comfortable in ninth inning
Rotowire
Helsley has received inquiries from teams about transitioning to the rotation, but he is more comfortable in a closer's role, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Roughly 15 teams have contacted the free agent righty, per the report, and the Tigers view Helsley as a potential starting pitcher. He is considering adding a two-seamer or changeup to his arsenal in 2026 to be less predictable, and another pitch would aid him in a move to the rotation, but Helsley has been a reliever for the last six years. "I know what I'm capable of as a reliever," Helsley said. "I think I still have a lot to give and can get even better. I've shown what I can do as a closer when I'm in that role. It's a really fun time to be in the game. It's the most important three outs of the game, but I still think I'm capable and able to be a starter."
... See More... See Less
Mets' Ryan Helsley: Believes he's tipping pitches
Rotowire
Helsley thinks his struggles since joining the Mets are a result of tipping pitches, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. "I think I know how to fix it," the right-hander said Thursday. "So it's just being able to enforce that and that being my mental norm versus what I was doing to get my body to accept that and reinforce that."
The former Cardinals closer has a brutal 10.38 ERA, 2.31 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB in 8.2 innings with the Mets, and he's been tagged with multiple earned runs in four of his last six appearances. "It definitely stinks," Helsley said. "I've never gone through anything like this in my career." He's still looking for his first hold for New York after being acquired at the trade deadline to be the top set-up man for Edwin Diaz, instead taking three losses and getting charged with four blown saves.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Ryan Helsley: Charged with ninth blown save
Rotowire
Helsley was charged with a blown save Tuesday against Philadelphia, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks in one-third of an inning. He struck out one.
The poor performance came in the eighth inning, as Helsley continues to struggle in a setup role with the Mets. The hard-throwing right-hander now has a disastrous 10.38 ERA, 2.31 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB over 8.2 innings for New York. It wouldn't be surprising to see the club use Helsley in lower-leverage situations until he bounces back.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Ryan Helsley: Struggles with new team continue
Rotowire
Helsley (3-3) took the loss Thursday against Atlanta, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk in an inning of relief. He failed to strike out a batter.
Called upon to protect a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning, Helsley issued a one-out walk before serving up back-to-back doubles to Michael Harris and Ozzie Albies. Helsley has had a rough start to his tenure as Edwin Diaz's main setup man, coughing up seven runs (albeit only three earned) over six appearances and five innings while getting charged with two blown saves and two losses. The Mets won't give up on the trade-deadline acquisition, but Helsley could begin to cede eighth-inning duties to other relievers until he gets back on track.
