Anthony

Nunez

Garcia is clearly the No. 1 reliever in the Orioles pen with Ryan Helsley out. Anthony Nunez, who briefly seemed like the team’s favorite for saves, took a blown save after giving up a run in the eighth today. He currently has a 5.11 ERA, compared to 0.77 for Garcia.

It’s possible that Orioles’ skipper Craig Albernaz just wanted to get Nunez right back out there in a high leverage spot after he gave up four runs during Thursday’s loss to the Rays. Rico Garcia was used to put out a fire in the sixth inning of this one. Either way, Nunez came through with flying colors, retiring all three hitters that he faced including punchouts of Wenceel Perez and Gage Workman. He appears to be the second in line for save chances with Ryan Helsley (elbow) still sidelined.

It’s worth noting that Rico Garcia got the call to face the heart of New York’s lineup with a one-run lead in the eighth inning before Nunez took over to face the bottom of the order. He struck out Jazz Chisholm Jr. and retired Ryan McMahon before giving up a two-out single to veteran Paul Goldschmidt. He was bailed out of any danger when pinch-runner José Caballero was thrown out attempting to steal second base to end the contest. Nunez certainly has the stuff to pitch in high-leverage spots but based on recent usage, including this contest, it’ll be Garcia handling the most important spots until Ryan Helsley (elbow) is back later this month.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz delivered a positive update, noting that Helsely is merely dealing with elbow inflammation and that there isn’t a high level of concern. The 31-year-old closer will be cleared to resume throwing once the swelling subsides and isn’t expected to require a lengthy absence. Andrew Kittredge’s closing experience makes him the clear favorite to take over the ninth-inning role, but rookie Anthony Nunez has the stuff to handle the role. Rico Garcia is another name to watch in the closing mix for the next couple weeks.

With Ryan Helsley on the on the bereavement list, Nunez, making just his 11th big-league appearance, was the pick to protect a two-run lead in the ninth, and he did so easily, even after a Coby Mayo error brought Bobby Witt Jr. to the plate as the tying run with two outs. Nunez went on to strike out Witt on six pitches, five of which were sweepers out of the strike zone. This comes two days after he picked up his first win in extra innings against Kansas City. He has a 1.46 ERA and a 15/2 K/BB in 12 1/3 innings.

Nunez got some help in the 10th. With two on and none out, Jac Caglianone flew out to center. Leody Taveras’s throw to third got away, causing automatic runner Lane Thomas to take off, but he was tagged out, resulting in an odd double play. Nunez got through the inning scoreless and then allowed only the automatic runner to score in the 11th before the Royals won in the 12th. It’s the first big-league win for Nunez, who turned in a big spring to make the Orioles after totaling just 16 2/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A.

Nunez winds up landing a spot in Baltimore’s season-opening bullpen after being shipped to the minors earlier this month. The 24-year-old was added to the club’s 40-man roster during the offseason after compiling an impressive 2.06 ERA and 83/24 K/BB ratio across 56 2/3 innings over 49 appearances across three minor-league levels last year

Nunez struck out six batters over five scoreless innings this spring and looked like a strong candidate to make Baltimore’s season-opening bullpen. The 24-year-old came over from the Rays in the Cedric Mullins trade last July and figures to reach the big leagues at some point later this year.

Nunez came over from the Mets in the Cedric Mullins deal at the trade deadline and has now been added to the club’s 40-man roster to protect him from next month’s Rule 5 Draft. The 24-year-old posted an impressive 2.06 ERA and 83/24 K/BB ratio across 56 2/3 innings over 49 appearances last year across three minor-league levels.

Nunez was the Mets’ 14th-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. The 24-year-old began his professional career as a two-player but switched to pitching full time in 2022. This season, he has a 1.58 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 60/17 K/BB ratio in 40 innings split between High-A and Double-A. It’s a solid return for the Orioles for two months of Cedric Mullins.