Josh

Walker

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.

The rally was ruled in part by Rece Hinds losing José Ramírez’s fly to right in the sun, giving him a single. Nathaniel Lowe hit the homer with one out in the ninth, making it a 6-4 game. Kittredge stayed in initially afterwards and got Angel Genao to ground out. It seemed like he could have finished the game at that point, but the Orioles brought in Josh Walker to face Patrick Bailey. Another fly to right followed, but while Hinds again struggled with the sun, he did manage to catch this one. It gave Walker his first save in 50 relief appearances since his debuted in 2023. Kittredge remains a top candidate for saves in the Orioles pen for now.

Walker has a 4.50 ERA in six innings with the Orioles this year and a 6.21 career MLB ERA in 33 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old will be a depth pen piece for the time being. It’s the third time he’s been called up since being selected to the 40-man roster on May 11, not including a promotion to be the 27th man in a doubleheader last week.

Walker provides Baltimore with an extra relief option for Wednesday’s nightcap at Fenway Park. The 31-year-old southpaw has made five relief appearances for the Orioles this season.

Walker was just recalled from the minors on Monday and pitched in back-to-back games, allowing one run on two hits in two innings. The Orioles will make a move to bring up a fresh arm for the bullpen.

Walker rejoins Baltimore’s bullpen mix for Monday’s series opener against the White Sox with fellow southpaw Keegan Akin hitting the shelf with an elbow issue. The 31-year-old has made three relief appearances for the Orioles this season.

The demotion comes as a bit of a surprise as Walker has pitched well in his limited action for the Orioles, hurling three scoreless innings with a 0.67 WHIP and a 4/1 K/BB ratio. He should get another opportunity with the big league club in relatively short order.

Walker gets the call to join Baltimore’s relief corps after spending a couple weeks in the minors. He was in camp as a non-roster invitee this spring. The well-traveled 31-year-old has made 27 appearances in the big leagues since 2023. He got into three contests for the Blue Jays last year before bouncing around between several other organizations.

The latest cutdown from Orioles camp reduces their flock to 53 players. Noda is the most prominent inclusion based on his big-league experience while Walker was the one with the most likely path to a spot on Baltimore’s season-opening roster as a left-handed relief option.

Walker passed through waivers earlier this week after being designated for assignment back in late December. The 31-year-old southpaw has bounced around between the Braves and Orioles over the past couple months but it appears he’ll enter spring training as part of Baltimore’s relief mix now that the dust has settled.