The status of Orioles closer Ryan Helsley is questionable. Helsley, who felt discomfort when he was warming up during Wednesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox, is on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort.

Before Friday’s game in Cincinnati, manager Craig Albernaz told reporters that Helsley, who has missed much of the season “is looking at all his options, getting opinions, and he’s just gathering information.”

Helsley was on the 15-day injured list for seven weeks with right elbow inflammation and has pitched in just 17 games.

Left-hander Keegan Akin, who’s also on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, is also exploring his options.

Coming into the season, the Orioles expected that Helsley, who signed a one-year, $14 million contract with a $14 million player option for next season, would be their closer.

With him out for much of the season, Albernaz has had to look elsewhere. On Friday night, he used Tyler Wells in the ninth, and he quickly retired all three batters for his first save since September 28^th, 2023. He followed it with a scoreless ninth in the Orioles’ 8-5 win on Saturday night, getting help with another spectacular catch by centerfielder Colton Cowser to secure a second save in two games.

Wells, who was a Rule 5 pick in 2020, worked his way up to closer late in 2021 and recorded four saves.

Without Helsley, will Wells be the closer? Perhaps, but as Albernaz likes to say when discussing pitching options: “Everything is on the table.”

When Helsley was on the injured list in May and June, Albernaz primarily used Rico Garcia and Anthony Nunez.

Both initially had success, but their recent numbers aren’t terrific. Garcia, who recorded his first major league save on April 8^th after Helsley had saved the first two games in a series against the Chicago White Sox, had a terrific start to the season.

He allowed just two earned runs in his first 28 games for an 0.68 ERA, but since then hasn’t been as successful. On Friday night, Garcia pitched two scoreless innings, the sixth and seventh.

It wouldn’t be an upset if Garcia was again used in the ninth.

Nunez quickly earned Albernaz’s trust, pitching in the eighth inning of games the Orioles led, but after some initial success and registering three saves, the 24-year-old, who was a late addition to the Orioles’ Opening Day roster, slumped.

When Helsley returned on June 16^th, the Orioles optioned Nunez, whose ERA had climbed to 4.98, to Triple-A Norfolk. He was recalled on Friday when Helsley went on the IL.

It seems unlikely that Nunez will immediately get a ninth-inning opportunity, but he could work his way back into the rotation.

Andrew Kittredge has 22 major league saves, the most of any on the staff. He picked up his first as an Oriole on June 11^th. Kittredge’s lifetime ERA in the ninth inning is 2.14, so it’s possible he’ll get a chance there, too. He pitched a spotless eighth.

Yennier Cano recorded the last two outs of the Orioles’ 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 20^th. It was his first save of the season. Cano has 16 saves in his time with the Orioles, and pitched a scoreless seventh. His ERA is 2.48.

Cano’s lifetime 5.22 ERA in the ninth inning could give Albernaz pause.

The bullpen’s only left-hander, Grant Wolfram, allowed a run in the sixth inning, issuing just his fourth walk in 26 innings while striking out 29, but Albernaz has yet to use him in the highest-leverage situations.

Without Helsley and Akin, the Orioles’ bullpen needs to be fortified, but the price for back-end relievers will be high. Assuming the Orioles are within striking distance as the trade deadline nears, president of baseball operations Mike Elias is likely to add to the bullpen.

There aren’t many options at Norfolk. Left-hander Dietrich Enns, who had two saves last season, had a 3.94 ERA when he was designated for assignment on May 26th. He’s struggled mightily with the Tides and has a 6.75 ERA.

Left-handers Nick Raquet and Josh Walker have had multiple brief stints with the Orioles and could return.

Andrew Magno, another left-hander who, unlike Raquet and Walker, is not on the 40-man roster, has been impressive with an 0.56 ERA. However, Magno has walked nearly five batters per nine innings.

The Orioles’ best hope for an in-house, late-season relief addition is Félix Bautista, who had labrum and rotator cuff surgery last August. Bautista has begun throwing bullpens, and if they’re a contender, perhaps he’ll be available.

“I’ve got to keep my fingers crossed with Félix because of the nature of the surgery he had and how difficult that is,” Elias said on June 27^th. “But he’s throwing really, really well, and we’re excited about where he’s at.”

Note: Catcher Dom Keegan cleared outright waivers and has been assigned to Double-A Chesapeake.

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