​Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.​

Orioles Ryan Helsley injured list news added another setback for Baltimore on Friday as the club placed its closer on the 15 day injured list with right elbow inflammation. The move came before the Orioles opened a four game road series against the New York Yankees in the Bronx. It matters because Baltimore entered the weekend with a 15 and 16 record, sitting third in the American League East and five games behind the division leading Yankees.

The Orioles announced that Helsley’s injured list stint is retroactive to Wednesday. Right handed pitcher Albert Suárez had his contract selected from Triple A Norfolk and takes Helsley’s place on the 26 man roster.

Baltimore now has 12 players on the injured list, continuing a season in which the club has had to absorb repeated injury setbacks despite remaining competitive more than a month into Craig Albernaz’s first year as manager.

Helsley had made a strong start

Helsley is in his first season with Baltimore after signing a two year, 28 million dollar contract during the offseason.

The 31 year old arrived after a difficult 2025 season that began with the St. Louis Cardinals and ended with the New York Mets following a deadline trade. Despite that uneven campaign, Helsley entered 2026 with an established reputation as one of baseball’s most effective late inning relievers.

He led Major League Baseball in saves two seasons ago and earned All Star selections with the Cardinals in 2022 and 2024.

Before landing on the injured list, Helsley had been highly reliable in the Orioles bullpen. He entered Friday tied for fourth in the majors with seven saves. He converted all seven of his save opportunities and posted a 2.53 earned run average across 10 and two thirds innings.

Those numbers made him one of Baltimore’s most dependable arms in the opening weeks of the season.

Recent absence had already tested bullpen depth

Helsley had already spent time away from the club last week when he was placed on the bereavement and family medical emergency list.

During that absence, Baltimore turned to rookie right hander Anthony Nunez for a save opportunity. Nunez converted the chance in an 8 to 6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on April 22.

That outing could now become more significant. With Helsley sidelined, the Orioles are expected to take a committee approach in late innings, with Nunez among the relievers likely to receive high leverage opportunities.

Baltimore’s bullpen has been one of the brighter areas of the roster so far this season, and its depth will be tested again while Helsley recovers.

Suárez could be needed immediately

Albert Suárez returns to the major league roster at a moment when Baltimore also faces uncertainty in the rotation.

Trevor Rogers is currently on the 15 day injured list because of illness, which means Suárez could potentially start Sunday’s game against the Yankees.

That possibility underlines how injuries have affected multiple parts of the roster rather than one specific area. Baltimore is not only missing a closer but also key starting pitchers, position players and additional bullpen options.

Twelve Orioles currently sidelined

Helsley and Rogers are part of a lengthy injured list that has significantly reshaped Baltimore’s active roster.

Among the starting pitchers unavailable are Dean Kremer, who is dealing with a quad issue, and Zach Eflin, who is sidelined with an elbow problem.

The infield has also been affected. First baseman Ryan Mountcastle is out with a foot injury, second baseman Jackson Holliday is recovering from a hamate issue, and third baseman Jordan Westburg is sidelined because of an elbow problem.

In the outfield, Heston Kjerstad remains unavailable with a hamstring injury.

The bullpen has also absorbed multiple losses beyond Helsley. Dietrich Enns is dealing with a foot injury, Yaramil Hiraldo has a shoulder problem, Colin Selby is out with a shoulder issue and Félix Bautista remains sidelined with a shoulder injury.

That group brings the total to 12 players currently unavailable.

Albernaz navigating difficult first season

The injury toll has extended beyond the playing roster.

Manager Craig Albernaz has already dealt with his own health challenge this season after suffering a broken jaw and several facial fractures. Even with those complications, Baltimore has remained competitive in a difficult division.

The Orioles entered Friday’s series against New York with a 15 and 16 record. While that mark sits just below .500, it has kept the club within reach in the American League East.

Holding third place in the division despite so many absences reflects the resilience Baltimore has shown through the opening month.

Injuries have become a familiar problem

Unfortunately for Baltimore, this is not an isolated issue.

According to MLB.com, the Orioles used the injured list 39 times involving 29 different players during the 2025 season. That history makes the current wave of absences part of a broader pattern rather than an unexpected early season problem.

The immediate focus will be Helsley’s elbow and how long the club must operate without one of its most reliable relievers.

For now, Baltimore continues to balance competitiveness with roster instability. Remaining close in the American League East while managing 12 injured players may prove one of the defining stories of its season.