What was expected became official Friday afternoon with the Orioles returning closer Ryan Helsley to the 15-day injured list ahead of a weekend series in Cincinnati.
The two-time All-Star reliever was warming up in the bullpen to pitch the ninth inning of Wednesday’s 6-1 win over the Chicago White Sox before right elbow discomfort forced him to stop throwing. Helsley spent seven weeks on the IL with an elbow problem earlier this season before being activated on June 16.
“My level of concern with something like that is always high,” manager Craig Albernaz said immediately after Wednesday’s game. “It’s almost like you prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Hopefully, everything comes out and he’s fine, but you’re always concerned when the bullpen calls out and says, ‘Hey, he can’t go.’ But we’ll kind of see where this leads and more information. Hopefully, it was kind of just precautionary.”
In 17 appearances this season, Helsley has registered eight saves and pitched to a 4.11 ERA. He is in the first season of a two-year, $28 million contract that includes a player opt-out following the 2026 campaign, but Helsley opting out is looking increasingly unlikely after this injury-plagued season.
To take his place in the bullpen, the Orioles recalled rookie reliever Anthony Nunez from Triple-A Norfolk. The 24-year-old right-hander was a surprising part of the Opening Day bullpen and pitched well early in the season, but struggles prompted his demotion to the minors last month. Nunez allowed runs in four of his five appearances for the Tides, but he owns a 4.98 ERA in 34 1/3 innings for Baltimore this season.
The Orioles also recalled infielder Jeremiah Jackson and designated No. 3 catcher Chadwick Tromp for assignment. The 26-year-old Jackson was optioned to Norfolk last weekend, but the club was able to bring him back sooner than the requisite 15 days in the minors since he’s technically taking the roster spot of the injured Helsley.
In 206 plate appearances this season, Jackson is batting .251 with seven home runs, 32 RBIs, and a .664 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Tromp appeared in only one game for the Orioles, going 2-for-3 with an RBI on June 27.
