NEW YORK -- The injury bug continues to hit the Orioles hard again this year, and their latest loss is a big one.
Prior to Friday's series-opening 7-2 loss at Yankee Stadium, Baltimore placed closer Ryan Helsley on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation, with the move retroactive to Wednesday. Right-hander Albert Suárez's contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk as the corresponding transaction.
Manager Craig Albernaz said Helsley felt something in his elbow about a week ago, but it “wasn’t anything concerning” and he thought it would go away. The imaging came back clean, so Helsley will take anti-inflammatory medication and wait to resume throwing.
“Level of concern is not high at all,” Albernaz said.
Helsley signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Orioles on Dec. 1. He has been the closer in place of right-hander Félix Bautista (right shoulder surgery), who isn't expected to return until September, at the earliest. Helsley had a 2.53 ERA in 10 2/3 innings over his first 12 appearances during his first season with the O's, going 7-for-7 on save opportunities.
Baltimore now has 12 players on the IL. The club has had 16 players spend time on the injured list this season.
The O's had an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, when they used the IL 39 times for 29 players, one of the primary reasons for their 75-87 record and last-place finish in the American League East. Their luck hasn't been any better early in '26.
The Orioles' relief corps has been a bright spot during their 15-16 start, as their 3.95 bullpen ERA ranked fifth in the AL entering Friday. The unit had been getting healthier, with right-hander Andrew Kittredge (right shoulder inflammation) returning on April 24 and lefty Keegan Akin (left groin strain) coming back on April 25. Left-hander Dietrich Enns (left foot contusion) is also nearing a return, as the 34-year-old has made five appearances during his Triple-A rehab assignment.
Without Helsley, Baltimore is likely to use multiple relievers in save situations. When Helsley was on the bereavement/family medical emergency list last week, rookie right-hander Anthony Nunez earned a save in the O's 8-6 win at Kansas City on April 22.
Kittredge, Akin and right-handers Tyler Wells, Rico Garcia and Yennier Cano are among the other relievers who could get save opportunities.
Suárez, meanwhile, appeared to be a candidate to start for the Orioles on Sunday afternoon vs. the Yankees, until he threw 2 2/3 innings of one-run relief after left-hander Cade Povich allowed five runs in four innings on Friday.
After getting designated for assignment this past Sunday, Suárez elected free agency on Wednesday. However, the 36-year-old right-hander signed a new Minor League deal with Baltimore on Thursday and is now back on the club's pitching staff this weekend in New York. He has a 3.45 ERA in 15 2/3 innings over six relief outings this year.
The O’s need a starter for Sunday after placing left-hander Trevor Rogers (illness) on the 15-day IL on Wednesday and using right-handers Chris Bassitt and Brandon Young for Thursday's doubleheader vs. the Astros. It’s possible they could go with a bullpen game.
If not, right-hander Trey Gibson (Baltimore’s No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) is scheduled to start Sunday for Norfolk and could be a possibility. The 23-year-old has a 4.01 ERA in six Triple-A starts this year and has not yet pitched in the big leagues.