Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Seeking second opinion on elbow
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Helsley will solicit a second opinion on his injured right elbow, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
The Orioles have not revealed the initial prognosis, but Helsley will seek out another evaluation before making a decision as to the next course of action. Helsley missed seven weeks of action with right elbow inflammation earlier this season and landed back on the IL this past Friday with more elbow trouble. The Orioles could have more information on Helsley's status later this week. Tyler Wells has notched two straight saves for Baltimore since Helsley was injured.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Sent to IL with elbow discomfort
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The Orioles placed Helsley on the 15-day injured list Friday with right elbow discomfort.
Helsey felt discomfort in his elbow while warming up in the bullpen Wednesday, and he'll now miss at least the next couple weeks. The right-hander missed seven weeks with elbow inflammation earlier this season and just returned from the injured list two weeks ago. Rico Garcia figures to be next in line for saves for Baltimore.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Sent for testing on sore elbow
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Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Wednesday that Helsley is dealing with right elbow discomfort and will undergo further testing, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Helsley was warming up in the bullpen as he readied to enter Wednesday's game against the White Sox, but he felt something in his elbow and had to take a seat. Instead, Andrew Kittredge came on to close out the 6-1 victory. Helsley missed seven weeks of action earlier this season with right elbow inflammation and could be headed for another extended absence, depending on what the imaging shows. If Helsley needs to miss more time, Rico Garcia is likely the top candidate to fill in at closer for the Orioles, though Kittredge and Yennier Cano could also be in the mix.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Secures eighth save
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Helsley struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his eighth save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Nationals.
The right-hander dispatched the visitors on 12 pitches (nine strikes) to pick up his first save since coming off the IL in mid-June. Helsley got tagged for five runs in 1.2 innings in his first two appearances after recovering from elbow inflammation, but he seems to be shaking off the rust, topping out at 100.4 mph with his fastball Friday in his second straight scoreless outing. On the season, Helsley has converted eight of nine save chances while posting a 4.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB in 14.1 innings.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Blows save Friday
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Reinstated from injured list
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Impressive rehab outing
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Beginning assignment Thursday
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Could begin rehab stint next week
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Tosses bullpen Saturday
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Plays catch Friday
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Could resume throwing this week
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: No structural damage in elbow
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Notches seventh save
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Returns from bereavement list
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Secures sixth save
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Locks down fifth save
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Converts second save
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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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: To be used only in save situations
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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.
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Ryan Helsley: Most comfortable in ninth inning
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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."
