Ryan

Helsley

Helsley underwent an MRI over the weekend that didn’t reveal any structural damage after hitting the shelf last Friday with elbow inflammation. It’s an extremely positive sign that he could potentially be cleared to resume throwing later this week. He’ll need some time to ramp up again, but fantasy managers should expect him back at some point in May. It’ll likely be Rico Garcia handling the closing duties in his absence based on recent usage patterns.

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.

The closer madness continues. Helsley had been one of the top performers in the league at the position, posting a 2.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and a 15/7 K/BB ratio over his first 10 2/3 innings while converting each of his first seven save chances. No word yet on the severity of the injury or on how long the Orioles expect their closer to be shelved for. Albert Suarez was promoted from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move on Friday.

Helsley has walked seven in 10 2/3 innings to start the year, but he’s also struck out 15 and he’s a perfect 7-for-7 in save chances. He retired Yordan Alvarez, Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve in this one.

Helsley had been away from the team since Wednesday. He’ll be active and available out of the O’s bullpen for Sunday’s showdown against the Red Sox should a save situation arise. Albert Suarez was designated for assignment in a corresponding move on Sunday.

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 looked more like the Mets’ version of Helsley that we saw towards the end of last season. He could not find the strike zone and walked the first two batters of the inning. Then, he struck out Vinnie Pasquantino on a ball that got away from Adley Rutschman that pushed Maikel García to third base. Just a few pitches later, Rutschman couldn’t corral another pitch in the dirt and García came home safely. As ugly as it was, Helsley had been nearly unhittable to this point so there’s no reason to think this poor outing will derail him.

As if there was any doubt left, Helsley is officially back. His six saves are tied with Mason Miller and Paul Sewald to lead the league and he’s allowed just two earned runs across 8 1/3 innings. In this outing, he wisely walked José Ramírez – who Orioles pitchers walked four times in total – and made mincemeat of the other hitters he faced. Helsley has been integrating a new splitter into his repertoire and it was his most thrown pitch in this outing with six of his 15 total thrown. That’s by far the highest rate of splitters he’s thrown so far.

Helsley is now 5-for-5 saving games. He topped out at 101.2 mph on his 12 pitches tonight.

Helsley threw 24 pitches in earning a save Monday night, but the Orioles still brought him back on a cold afternoon in Chicago, and he got through the outing pretty easily even though his velocity was down by two mph. Helsley should get Wednesday off after this, perhaps creating a save chance for Tyler Wells or Rico Garcia.