O's closer Helsley (elbow) to begin rehab assignment Thursday

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles may be getting their closer back before the end of June.

Right-hander Ryan Helsley is taking a significant step forward on Thursday, when he is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk. The 31-year-old has been on the 15-day injured list since May 1, when he was placed on the IL due to right elbow inflammation (retroactive to April 29).

Helsley, who signed a two-year, $28 million deal with Baltimore on Dec. 1, was having a solid start to his first season with the O's. The righty had a 2.53 ERA over 12 appearances and was 7-for-7 in save opportunities before going on the injured list.

In Helsley's absence, the Orioles have been closing by committee, with Rico Garcia (four saves) and Anthony Nunez (three) getting the bulk of the ninth-inning work.

Helsley threw live batting practice at Camden Yards on Monday and then said the next day that everything went well.

"Just need to make sure I'm building a good foundation and a good base and crossing all the boxes in how I feel and how I'm bouncing back," Helsley said Tuesday. "I think it's been pretty smooth, honestly. Good progress and good progression in throwing and lifting and arm care. I think when you have an injury early in the season, you want to be a little more on the safer side. If it was September, maybe I would try to rush back a little sooner. But I've been feeling good and making good progress, so hopefully I just keep trending that way."