Veteran right-handed closer Ryan Helsley has signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, multiple sources reported on Saturday afternoon.
The contract reportedly includes a player opt-out clause after the 2026 season.
Helsley, 31, is a two-time National League All-Star (2022, 2024) and a 2024 All-MLB First Team honoree. He was named NL Reliever of the Year in 2024, when he led the league with 49 saves for the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Orioles were in desperate need of back of the bullpen help as closer Felix Bautista suffered a second long-term injury after coming back from Tommy John surgery late in the 2023 season.
Bautista pitched in 35 games last season, posting 19 saves and a 2.60 ERA in 34 2/3 innings. However, he was placed on the injured list on July 24, 2025 with right shoulder discomfort and underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and torn labrum in August.
Bautista is expected to miss most of the 2026 campaign, although he did sign a one-year contract extension for the upcoming season for $2.25 million.
The Cardinals tabbed Helsley in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB draft and he debuted for St. Louis in 2019. He earned the closer’s role in 2022, posting 19 saves to go along with a 9-1 record, sterling 1.25 ERA and 0.74 WHIP.
Helsley missed a large portion of the 2023 season with a right forearm strain, but rebounded by setting a St. Louis franchise record with 49 saves the following season.
He was traded to the New York Mets on July 30, 2025 and struggled, pitching to a 7.20 ERA, earning no saves while blowing four and eventually moving out of the closer’s role.
For his career, Helsley has appeared in 297 games, all in relief, with 105 saves and a 2.96 ERA. He has fanned 377 batters and walked 132 in 319 2/3 innings of work.
