Orioles’ Helsley throws bullpen session; Cano’s sinker eludes him; O’s-Blue Jays lineups

BALTIMORE—The Orioles think relief pitcher Ryan Helsley is getting closer to a return from right elbow inflammation. Helsley has been on the injured list since April 29^th.

“He threw a bullpen today, 15-20 pitches, he came out feeling good, threw well,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “We’re excited to get his process going and see what the next steps are.”

Without Helsley, the Orioles have used Rico Garcia and Anthony Nunez as closers.

“It’s a loss for the team, not having him,” Albernaz said. “Our bullpen guys did a great job of stepping up in a variety of different situations. We asked a lot of those guys. Every major league bullpen gets thrusted into really uncomfortable and difficult situations. Our guys since Helsley’s been out have rose to the occasion and thrown extremely well.

“A lot of these relievers are getting exposed to different situations, and it ultimately raises the floor of the ‘pen when we get Helsley back. It’s a big loss, but our guys have done a great job of navigating it without being there.”

Cano hit by Blue Jays

Yennier Cano’s difficult eighth inning cost the Orioles badly on Friday night against the Toronto Blue Jays. He allowed three straight hits in the eighth. Two runs scored and the Orioles lost, 6-5.

Cano left Wednesday’s game with right hamstring discomfort. He said he was actually dehydrated but felt fine pitching on Friday night.

“It’s terrible,” Cano said through a team translator. “I just go, ‘Damn, the offense gave us a five-run lead. They’re playing super well. We just couldn’t hold that lead for them, myself included. I still feel terrible about last night. I feel bad about the way it went. We had a really good chance to win that one. It’s part of the game, but I still feel bad about losing that one

“That’s the way baseball goes sometimes. If I didn’t allow those runs to score and pitched better, we probably wouldn’t be talking right now. It’s part of the game sometimes. You’re going to have good and bad outings.”

Albernaz pointed to one factor.

“It looked like the sinker didn’t have the bite,” Albernaz said. “The Blue Jays did a good job of getting sinkers elevated and putting good swings on it. He’s a ground-ball monster and they did a great job of putting balls into the air. He’s still throwing strikes, the velo was there. The split was still in play, but the Toronto Blue Jays hitters did a good job of getting that sinker elevated.”

Notes: Jeremiah Jackson is starting in the outfield for the first time this season. … Oriole starters have a 2.65 ERA in the last 10 games, third lowest in the American League.

Orioles-Blue Jays lineups

Orioles

Taylor Ward-LF

Gunnar Henderson-SS

Adley Rutschman-C

Pete Alonso-1B

Samuel Basallo-DH

Coby Mayo-3B

Leody Taveras-CF

Jackson Holliday-2B

Jeremiah Jackson-RF

Brandon Young-RHP

Blue Jays

George Springer-DH

Nathan Lukes-LF

Vladimir Guerrero Jr-1B

Daulton Varsho-CF

Kazuma Okamoto-3B

Jesús Sánchez-RF

Ernie Clement-2B

Andres Giménez-SS

Tyler Heinman-C

Trey Yesavage-RHP

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