Ryan Helsley experienced right elbow discomfort warming up in the bullpen Wednesday and didn’t pitch in the Orioles’ 6-1 victory. He was scheduled to be evaluated after the game.
The closer was preparing to enter in the ninth inning in a non-save situation. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said the bullpen phone rang during Blaze Alexander’s at-bat in the bottom of the eighth inning and he was told Helsley couldn’t pitch.
There was a brief delay in the top of the ninth as Andrew Kittredge warmed up quickly and entered from the bullpen. On the MASN broadcast, Helsley was seen grabbing his right arm.
Helsley, who signed a two-year, $28 million deal during the offseason with a player option for 2027, leads the Orioles with eight saves.
“My level of concern with something like that is always high. It’s almost like you prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” Albernaz said.
Helsley, an eight-year major league veteran, looked for a fresh start in Baltimore after he underperformed last season following a trade to the New York Mets at the deadline. He has a career 3.01 ERA and 113 saves.
He opened the year with a 2.53 ERA and seven saves before going on the injured list May 1 with elbow inflammation. He returned at the beginning of the Orioles’ nine-game West Coast road trip June 16.
He’s made five appearances since. Albernaz said the team will get more information in the next few days.
“Hopefully everything comes out and he’s fine, but you’re always concerned when bullpen calls out and says, ‘Hey, he can’t go.’” Albernaz said. “But we’ll kind of see where this leads. ... Hopefully it was kind of just precautionary.”






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