Rico

Garcia

Garcia got the call to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning and needed just 14 pitches (10 strikes) to end it. He struck out Willson Contreras and Masataka Yoshida before getting Mickey Gasper to fly out to end it. He’ll continue handling the closing duties for Baltimore until Ryan Helsley (elbow) is ready to return at some point later this month.

Helsley appears to be getting close to heading out on a minor league rehab assignment, but he still hasn’t progressed to facing hitters in a live batting practice session. The hard-throwing 31-year-old stopper has been on the shelf with elbow inflammation since late April. There’s no real urgency to rush him back since unheralded Rico Garcia has done a phenomenal job as Baltimore’s primary ninth-inning option during his absence.

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.

Helsley will have to check a couple additional boxes, including progressing to throwing bullpen sessions and facing hitters in live batting practice, before he’s cleared to head out on a minor league rehab assignment. That ramp-up process figures to take a couple weeks, which pushes his likely return back into early-to-mid June. The hard-throwing 31-year-old stopper has been working his way back from elbow inflammation since late April. It’ll be Rico Garcia handling the closing duties for the Orioles for at least another couple weeks.

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.

Helsley expects to be cleared to resume throwing soon and will need a brief minor league rehab assignment before returning to Baltimore’s bullpen. The hard-throwing 31-year-old has checked out fine from an imaging standpoint after hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation back in late April. It’ll be Rico Garcia handling the closing duties for at least a couple more weeks.

Garcia got Jonah Heim on strikes to open the frame and then got Carlos Cortes on a line drive to center. He made things a bit more interesting by issuing a two-out walk to Lawrence Butler, but rebounded to get Zack Gelof to pop out to shortstop to end it. The 32-year-old hurler has been brilliant on the season with a 0.50 ERA, 0.44 WHIP and a 20/7 K/BB ratio over his first 17 innings. He’ll continue to hold down the fort in the ninth inning until Ryan Helsley is healthy.

Garcia was summoned to protect a three-run lead in the final frame and needed just 15 pitches (nine strikes) to slam the door. He issued a leadoff walk to Owen Caissie, but was able to get Otto Lopez to ground into a double play before striking out Javier Sanoja to end it. The 32-year-old journeyman has done an excellent job filling in for an injured Ryan Helsley (elbow) recently and should continue handling save chances for the Orioles.

Garcia came on to record the final out of the eighth inning to preserve a tie ballgame before coming out to protect a two-run lead in the ensuing frame. He’ll continue to serve as Baltimore’s primary closing option until Ryan Helsley (elbow) is back from the injured list at some point in the next few weeks.

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.