Baltimore Orioles’ Ryan Helsley Hopeful to Return in 2026 After Injury Update

The Baltimore Orioles signed right-hander Ryan Helsley this past offseason on a two-year deal to become their lockdown closer. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.

The Orioles figured they got Helsley at a discount after his disappointing second half of 2025 with the New York Mets, trusting he would look more like the pitcher he was with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he won the National League Relief Pitcher of the Year award and earned two All-Star selections.

When on the field this year, while he has not been as bad as he was with the Mets, run prevention was still a problem. Across 17 games he posted a 4.11 ERA, and while he struck out 21 hitters in 15 1/3 innings he also allowed three home runs and issued nine walks.

The bigger problem though has been his availability. Helsley has not pitched since June 27 after reaggravating his right elbow injury. He first went on the injured list back in May for right elbow inflammation and missed nearly seven weeks.

When he returned in June he made just five appearances before landing right back on the injured list. While an MRI did not show a tear in his UCL and he avoided surgery, a return this season is still not guaranteed. However, he is taking a step in the right direction.

"Orioles' Ryan Helsley (elbow) is a week into his throwing program. He's started long tossing, but still a couple of more weeks before he gets on a mound. Helsley is still optimistic he will return this season. Won't know for sure until he starts throwing at full intensity," reported Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun.

As Weyrich mentions, Helsley is running out of time, and he still has plenty of hurdles to clear before a return becomes realistic. As a relief pitcher he may not need a lengthy rehab assignment in Triple-A, which helps. But there is also a real question about whether bringing him back this year is even worth the risk. Even after Sunday's win over the Texas Rangers, the Orioles sit four games under .500 at 57-61, and president of baseball operations Mike Elias opted to sell at the trade deadline.

If Helsley does make it back, it would be a positive development for his own health and confidence heading into 2027, but the organizational stakes around his return are no longer what they were in April.