The Baltimore Orioles placed closer Ryan Helsley on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation before their series opener at Yankee Stadium. The move is retroactive to Wednesday, and right-hander Albert Suárez's contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk. Helsley's injury adds to the team's ongoing struggles with the injury bug.
Baltimore announced the placement of Helsley, a 31-year-old right-hander, on the injured list prior to Friday's game against the New York Yankees. The severity of his right elbow inflammation remains unknown, and it is unclear when the injury occurred. Helsley, who signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Orioles on Dec. 1, had posted a 2.53 ERA over 10 2/3 innings in 12 appearances this season, converting all seven save opportunities while filling in for Félix Bautista, who is sidelined until at least September following right shoulder surgery. This marks the Orioles' 12th player on the IL this year, following a 2025 season marred by 39 IL stints for 29 players that contributed to a last-place finish in the AL East with a 75-87 record. Their bullpen had been a strength early in the 15-16 start, ranking fifth in the AL with a 3.95 ERA entering Friday, bolstered by recent returns including Andrew Kittredge on April 24 and Keegan Akin on April 25. Without Helsley, the Orioles plan to turn to multiple relievers for save situations, such as Kittredge, Akin, Tyler Wells, Rico Garcia, and Yennier Cano. Rookie Anthony Nunez secured a save during Helsley's brief absence last week. As a corresponding move, the team recalled Albert Suárez, who rejoined after electing free agency earlier in the week and signing a new Minor League deal on Thursday. Suárez, with a 3.46 ERA in 13 relief innings this season, is a candidate to start Sunday against the Yankees amid other pitching needs.
