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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: Not throwing, eyes late-May return
Rotowire
The Orioles announced Monday that Helsley (elbow) hasn't been cleared to start a throwing program, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Per Jake Rill of MLB.com, Helsley said that while he's not yet been given the green light to play catch, he's pleased with how his injured elbow has responded to anti-inflammatory medication. He's been able to run and work out in the meantime and expects to start throwing a weighted ball in the coming days before initiating a throwing program. According to Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com, Helsley added that he's not dealing with any ligament damage to his elbow and expects to require a rehab assignment before potentially returning from the 15-day injured list in late May. Since the Orioles closer landed on the shelf May 1, Rico Garcia has collected both of Baltimore's save chances.
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.
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.
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Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Placed on injured list
Rotowire
The Orioles placed Helsley on the 15-day injured list Friday with right elbow inflammation, retroactive to Wednesday.
Helsley threw a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to lock down his seventh save of the season, but he appears to have come away from his latest outing with an elbow issue that will force him to spend at least two weeks on the shelf. Albert Suarez will come up from Triple-A Norfolk to fill the open spot in Baltimore's bullpen; meanwhile, Rico Garcia (0.66 ERA) and Yennier Cano (1.69 ERA) could see an increase in save opportunities while Helsley is on the shelf.
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.
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.
Orioles' Ryan Helsley: Deactivated due to family emergency
Rotowire
The Orioles placed Helsley on the bereavement/family medical emergency list Wednesday.
Per MLB rules, Helsley will be away from the Orioles for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days after going on bereavement leave. After signing a two-year deal with Baltimore over the winter, Helsley has gotten off to a respectable start to the season as the team's closer, converting all six of his save chances while pitching to a 2.79 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB in 9.2 innings. Rico Garcia (0.75 ERA, 0.42 WHIP in 12 innings) and Yennier Cano (1.23 ERA, 0.68 WHIP in 7.1 innings) have been the Orioles' top-performing setup arms this season and could be the top choices for save chances while Helsley is deactivated.
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.
