Orioles hope Helsley can still pitch in 2026; O’s-Red Sox lineups

BALTIMORE—Ryan Helsley, who began the season as the Orioles’ closer but has had two lengthy stints on the injured list that have limited him to 17 games, still might pitch in the final games of the season, manager Craig Albernaz said on Friday.

Helsley last pitched on June 27^th and has been on the 60-day injured list for the second time with a right elbow injury. On Friday, he threw 26 pitches in his fifth bullpen session.

“He looked good, really good,” Albernaz said. “He threw all of his pitches, stepped on the gas a little bit. Velo was there. It was a very encouraging bullpen, so see how he comes out tomorrow and recovers in the next couple of days. If everything goes as planned, a live [batting practice] will be next.

The regular season ends on September 27th, and Triple-A Norfolk’s last game is a week before that, so is there time for Helsley, who has a $14 million player option for next season, to make an impact.

“I think so,” Albernaz said. “He wants to get back. He wants to get back and be a part of the team, even though he is a part of the team, but be out there and competing, so he’s trending in the right direction. The bullpen today was very, encouraging. We’d love to have Ryan Helsley back.”

Meanwhile, Félix Bautista remains at Triple-A Norfolk on a rehab assignment. Bautista threw 26 pitches on Wednesday, allowing a run on a hit with two walks. The two outs he recorded were strikeouts.

“I wouldn’t say getting better is the right word,” Albernaz said. “Probably getting more comfortable is the best way to put it. In his first outing, the jitters were real … The strike zone was tough to find, but as far as his last few outings, pounding the strike zone, velo is there.”

Bautista is rehabbing after rotator cuff and labrum surgery in August 2025.

“We know what Félix has been through and we want to make sure that we’re doing right by him, and make sure that he is recovering and getting the support that he needs,” Albernaz said. “A lot of discussions behind the scenes, but we want to make sure he’s in the best spot he can. We want to do right by him.”

Note: High-A Frederick right-hander Harrison Kreiling, who came from Seattle in the trade that sent Taylor Ward to the Mariners, was placed on the injured list. Kreiling was recently promoted from Single-A Delmarva. He allowed two runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings in his only appearance for the Keys.

Orioles-Red Sox lineups

Orioles

Blaze Alexander-RF

Coby Mayo-DH

Luis Robert Jr.-CF

Pete Alonso-1B

Gunnar Henderson-SS

Christian Encarnacion-Strand-3B

Jackson Holliday-2B

Carlos Narváez-C

Leody Taveras-LF

Shane Baz-RHP

Red Sox

Roman Anthony-DH

Mickey Gasper-1B

Adley Rutschman-C

Wilyer Abreu-RF

Nick Sogard-2B

Caleb Durbin-3B

Jarren Duran-LF

Trevor Story-SS

Eli White-CF

Ranger Suárez-LHP

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com