The Baltimore Orioles will be without All-Star closer Ryan Helsley for a game against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, April 22.
The right-hander has been placed on the bereavement/family medical emergency list, according to a team announcement. The Orioles recalled right-hander Jose Espada to take Helsley’s place. Helsley will be away from the team for a minimum of three days. His absence could extend to seven days.
Helsley’s final appearance before leaving the team was a rough one. The closer entered in the ninth inning of a game on Tuesday, April 21, with the score tied. Helsley walked Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. to begin the frame. He struck out Vinnie Pasquantino, but a wild pitch would advance Garcia to third base. Helsley uncorked another wild pitch to Salvador Perez, allowing Garcia to score the winning run in Kansas City’s 6-5 victory.
Baltimore Orioles Place Ryan Helsley on Bereavement List, Recall Jose Espada
The Orioles inked Helsley to a two-year, $28 million deal this offseason. The longtime St. Louis Cardinals closer was coming off an uneven 2025 campaign. Helsley delivered 36 innings of a 3.00 ERA in the first half with the Cardinals. He piled up 21 saves and was one of the most sought-after assets at the trade deadline, with St. Louis out of contention. Helsley was sent to the New York Mets for a package of prospects that included Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt.
Helsley struggled mightily in his Mets tenure. He posted a brutal 7.20 ERA across 20 innings of work. The righty failed to record a save and slipped out of a high-leverage role with New York. The club faded out of contention down the stretch, ultimately missing the playoffs.
The start of the 2026 season has represented a turnaround for Helsley. The hard-throwing reliever has racked up six saves across his first 11 appearances. He has a tremendous 34.9% strikeout rate, his best mark since 2023. Helsley is missing bats at an elite level. His 17.8% swinging-strike rate is the second-highest of his career.
Espada Gets Another Shot With the Big-League Club
Espada will get another look in the big leagues after a rocky start to his minor league season. The righty has scuffled to a 5.40 ERA in 10 innings with Triple-A Norfolk. He’s issued nine walks to just seven strikeouts this year.
Baltimore signed Espada as a minor league free agent midway through the 2025 season. He flashed big swing-and-miss upside with a 36.8% strikeout rate when he first came to the organization, but it came with an ERA of close to 6.00. Espada got a brief look with the Orioles in the second half of the year. He tossed three scoreless innings in a relief outing with the club.
Espada debuted with the San Diego Padres in 2023. He pitched a scoreless inning in his lone outing. The 29-year-old doesn’t have a ton of MLB experience in his lengthy professional career, but he’s yet to allow a run in the majors. Espada spent the 2024 season in Japan. He posted a 5.00 ERA in 27 appearances with the Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball.
Orioles Announce Ryan Helsley News Ahead of Royals Matchup