Ryan Helsley still has a path to pitch for the Orioles before the season ends, and Craig Albernaz sounded optimistic on Friday after another encouraging step in his rehab.
Helsley, who opened the year as Baltimore’s closer, has been limited to 17 games because of two long stays on the injured list. He last pitched on June 27 and is now on the 60-day injured list for the second time because of a right elbow injury. On Friday, he completed his fifth bullpen session, firing 26 pitches.
“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.
With the regular season ending on September 27 and Triple-A Norfolk wrapping up a week earlier, the calendar is tight. Still, Albernaz didn’t close the door on Helsley contributing again this year, especially with the pitcher holding a $14 million player option for next season.
“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.”
Félix Bautista is also working his way back, but his rehab assignment remains at Triple-A Norfolk. He threw 26 pitches on Wednesday, gave up a run on a hit, and walked two batters. The two outs he recorded came on strikeouts.
For Bautista, Albernaz said the biggest change is comfort level.
“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 coming back from rotator cuff and labrum surgery in August 2025, and the Orioles are taking care with every step.
“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.”
The club also made a roster move in the minors, placing High-A Frederick right-hander Harrison Kreiling on the injured list. Kreiling, who came over from Seattle in the trade that sent Taylor Ward to the Mariners, had recently been promoted from Single-A Delmarva. In his lone outing for the Keys, he allowed two runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Baltimore’s lineup for the game against Boston featured Blaze Alexander in right field, Coby Mayo at designated hitter, Luis Robert Jr. in center, Pete Alonso at first, Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, Christian Encarnacion-Strand at third, Jackson Holliday at second, Carlos Narváez behind the plate, Leody Taveras in left, and Shane Baz on the mound.
The Red Sox countered with Roman Anthony as the DH, Mickey Gasper at first, Adley Rutschman catching, Wilyer Abreu in right, Nick Sogard at second, Caleb Durbin at third, Jarren Duran in left, Trevor Story at short, Eli White in center, and Ranger Suárez starting left-handed.
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