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 opener 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.
The severity of Helsley's ailment is not yet known, and it isn't clear when the 31-year-old right-hander got hurt. He 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.
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.
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, is a candidate to start for the Orioles on Sunday afternoon vs. the Yankees. The team needs a starter for that day 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.
After getting designated for assignment on 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 3.46 ERA in 13 innings over five relief outings this year.