BALTIMORE - Ryan Helsley’s first live batting practice since landing on the 60-day injured list came with encouraging signs Tuesday.
The right-hander, who last pitched on June 27, threw 24 pitches and worked through all of his offerings in the session as he continues to come back from a right elbow injury.
“He threw all of his pitches. He looked great,” manager Craig Albernaz said.
“Velo was there. He was 95 to upper 90s, throwing strikes.
The biggest thing was he threw all of his pitches. He looked great out there.’
Albernaz said the club has not locked in Helsley’s next step yet. With Helsley having pitched in only 17 games this season because of two long injured-list stays, the Orioles are still sorting through what comes next.
“We’re talking through that now,” Albernaz said. “How he wakes up tomorrow, how he feels.
That’s going to be predicated on the next steps. We’re getting a bunch of different plans in place and variables.”
The Orioles also said outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who is on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring injury, will stay with the team instead of going to Sarasota, which had originally been the plan.
Colton Cowser picked up another bit of recognition on Tuesday, as his game-saving catch on August 31 earned him “Catch of the Week” honors.
The play was the 18th catch by an Orioles fielder to win the award, the most since it began in 2018. Cedric Mullins has won it eight times, and Brandon Young - Tuesday’s starter - was previously recognized for his “hacky sack” play on July 20.
The club also noted that the 11 players with a save is a franchise record.
Left-hander Josh Walker has now gone 14 games without allowing a run since August 6, the longest streak since Félix Bautista’s 14-game run from June 25-August 6, 2023.
The Orioles’ lineup for Tuesday night against the Guardians was Jackson Holliday at second base, Pete Alonso at first, Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, Coby Mayo as the designated hitter, Samuel Basallo behind the plate, Dylan Beavers in left, Blaze Alexander at third, Colton Cowser in center and Leody Taveras in right, with Brandon Young on the mound.
The Guardians lined up Steven Kwan in left, Travis Bazzana at second, José Ramírez at third, Jo Adell at DH, Nathaniel Lowe at first, Angel Martínez in right, Patrick Bailey at first, Petey Halpin in center, Brayan Rocchio at short and Tanner Bibee starting at right-hander.
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For Baltimore, the timing matters because Mayos surge points toward a larger role in 2027, and not just as a bat waiting for a matchup. The Orioles already have infield depth to sort through, so even a clear step forward from Mayo does not make the path simple. If his second-half production carries over, the club may have to make a real lineup adjustment to find him the kind of playing time his bat now seems to deserve. [Read more 🡒]