Yennier Cano earns third save vs. Athletics

Helsley’s impending return would provide a massive lift for the Orioles during the final two weeks as they sit just three games out of the final playoff spot in the American League. Craig Albernaz has been rolling with a multi-pronged closer-by-committee approach that includes Rico Garcia, Andrew Kittredge, Yennier Cano and Josh Walker for the past couple weeks. They also have former stopper Félix Bautista on the verge of returning from the injured list. Helsley, who has been out with elbow discomfort since early July, figures to step into the closer role once he’s activated.

Kittredge blew a save against his former team in the bottom of the ninth but then got a win after Rays closer Bryan Baker allowed the automatic runner to score in the 10th, resulting in a loss to his former team. Cam Sanders worked the bottom of the 10th and ended up with his second save in two days for the Orioles, though he’s still probably behind at least Yennier Cano and Kittredge on Baltimore’s closing depth chart. Cano had this one off after throwing 24 pitches last night.

Cano was the choice to close over Andrew Kittredge with Tyler Wells gone to Tampa Bay, and he pitched the better of the two, as Kittredge gave up the Angels’ lone run of the game in the eighth. It looks like Cano, who just signed a two-year extensin on Friday, will be the better pickup in mixed leagues.

The deal also includes a club option for the 2029 season. Financial terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed. The 32-year-old right-hander has functioned as one of the best setup men in the game for most of the past four seasons and he holds a terrific 2.21 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 31/8 K/BB ratio over 36 2/3 innings in his 48 appearances this season.

Andrew Kittredge had the save chance in a 3-0 game tonight with Ryan Helsley unavailable, but he gave up a homer and a walk while recording one out. Cano took over with Mookie Betts up and immediately generated a double play ball, only for third baseman Coby Mayo to botch the play and wind up with no outs. Mayo next retired Alex Freeland, but then Leody Taveras had a game-ending fly to right bounce off his glove for an error, making the score 3-2. Still undaunted, Cano struck out Kyle Tucker to end the contest afterwards. It was his first save of the year, but we’d give him two, just for how much the defense let him down. Helsley will likely be back in the closer’s role on Sunday.

Cano loaded the bases in the eighth inning before coming out of the contest. It certainly sounds like a potential injured list situation.

We’re wishing Helsley and his family the best. It’s unclear how long the Orioles will be without their closer, but he will certainly miss Wednesday’s game. Rico Garcia has also pitched in each of the last two games, so it might be Yennier Cano who gets called on if there is a save opportunity on Wednesday.

This could be a change to help unlock more strikeout upside for Cano. In his 208 2/3 MLB innings, he has just a 23.2 percent strikeout rate, which is well below average for a late-inning reliever. The splitter adds more depth and drop, which could be useful for Cano, whose changeup ran in on right-handed hitters similarly to his sinker. The splitter could play well off the four-seam fastball and give him more swing-and-miss.

Cano struggled to a 5.12 ERA in 58 innings last year, but he’s still a strong groundball pitcher with a decent strikeout rate and his .335 BABIP last year wasn’t all his fault. He’ll contend for a setup role in the Baltimore pen, but since he does have two option years left, he’s not promised anything.

Keegan Akin had recorded the final out in the eighth and started the ninth with a two-run lead over the Blue Jays. He recorded one out and was replaced by Cano with a runner on. Cano surrendered three straight hits that would tie the game before Alejandro Kirk knocked in the walk-off run with a sacrifice fly, charging Cano with a blown save and his seventh loss.