RADIO
Rico Garcia Emerging as Priority Closer Handcuff to Stash?
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia has been one of the better relievers in baseball so far this season, recording a 1.72 ERA and 0.73 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and four saves across 31 1/3 innings (34 games). With Orioles closer Ryan Helsley on the injured list for the better part of two months due to elbow inflammation, Garcia emerged as one of Baltimore's preferred ninth-inning options. Helsley returned from the IL on Wednesday, which could eliminate Garcia's save opportunities. However, Helsley has struggled mightily in his first two outings since his return, allowing five runs (four earned) and three home runs across 1 2/3 innings. If Helsley continues to falter, Garcia could re-emerge as part of the ninth-inning mix in Baltimore. Particularly in deeper leagues, Garcia profiles as a worthy closer stash candidate on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Helsley Stumbles Again on Friday, Is it Time to Panic?
Baltimore Orioles closer Ryan Helsley had a rough outing on Friday night, allowing three runs (two earned) and recording just two outs to blow the save in his team's 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Helsley was activated from the injured list on Wednesday after missing nearly two months due to elbow inflammation. His first two appearances since returning have been a struggle, as he's allowed four earned runs on three home runs across 1 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old got off to a solid start to the season before the injury, recording a 2.51 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 15 strikeouts, and seven saves across 10 2/3 innings. Still, he will need to right the ship quickly to maintain the closer role now, as Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia has been one of the better relievers in baseball this season and could easily reclaim the job if Helsley continues to struggle.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Helsley Reinstated From the Injured List
The Baltimore Orioles announced on Tuesday that they reinstated right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Anthony Nunez to Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. Helsey is back in the big-league bullpen after striking out five of the seven batters he faced in two minor-league rehab appearances at Triple-A Norfolk. He ended up missing seven weeks with inflammation in his right elbow. Baltimore could very well ease Helsley back into a late-inning, high-leverage role now that he's back from his injury, but the full expectation is that he'll be manager Craig Albernaz's primary closing option again, pushing Rico Garcia back to a late-inning setup role. Before getting hurt early in the 2026 season, the two-time All-Star was looking good in his first 12 appearances with the O's, allowing three earned runs in 10 2/3 innings with seven saves, 15 strikeouts, and seven walks. Helsley has 112 career saves in his seven-plus big-league seasons. He's rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues. If he's available on your waiver wire, scoop him up immediately.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Is Rico Garcia Still the Primary Source for Saves in Baltimore?
Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitcher Rico Garcia remains a priority waiver-wire target for fantasy managers chasing saves, despite his recent performance. The 32-year-old has tallied four saves with a 1.82 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts over 29 2/3 innings. Garcia has been one of Baltimore's most effective relievers for most of the season, and his combination of strikeouts, ratio help, and ninth-inning access keeps him firmly on the fantasy radar. The recent results have been shakier, as Garcia has allowed four earned runs over his last four appearances, which opened the door for Andrew Kittredge to earn his first save on June 11. Additionally, the team's primary closer, Ryan Helsley (elbow), has started a rehab assignment, so Garcia's path to saves may narrow later this month, but he remains the clearest option in Baltimore for now. Sitting at a 30% Yahoo roster rate, Garcia still has enough value for fantasy managers looking for short-term bullpen help.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Helsley has Another Stellar Rehab Outing
Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) had another strong minor-league rehab outing for Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday night against Memphis, setting down the order 1-2-3 in the sixth innings while striking out two, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Helsley threw nine of his 14 pitches for strikes. In his two rehab appearances for Norfolk, Helsley has tossed two shutout innings with no walks and five strikeouts, and the Orioles might be ready to reinstate him from the 15-day injured list. Before getting hurt, the 31-year-old veteran was looking great as Baltimore's primary closer in 2026, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while walking seven, striking out 15, and recording seven saves in his first 12 appearances for the team. The two-time All-Star appears to be on the verge of rejoining the back end of the Orioles' bullpen, and he should immediately slot back in as manager Craig Albernaz's preferred choice in the ninth inning. Fantasy managers should run to their waiver wire and check if Helsley is available. He's currently rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Ryan Helsley to Make Rehab Appearance on Saturday
Baltimore Orioles reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) is set to make his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday. After tossing a scoreless inning on Thursday, manager Craig Albernaz said the right-handed pitcher feels good enough to pitch again. He will look to build on his first outing, during which his fastball averaged 97.7 miles per hour and topped out at 99.7 mph. He also needed just 14 pitches to retire all three batters he faced, with 12 of those pitches going for strikes. Helsley has been sidelined since the end of April with right elbow inflammation and is aiming to return soon to provide some much-needed stability to the Orioles' bullpen. The 31-year-old has seven saves this season and should provide an immediate boost to fantasy lineups upon his return, which could be sooner rather than later.
Source: Jake Rill
Source: Jake Rill
Orioles Turn to Andrew Kittredge for Save, Worth Monitoring in Deep Leagues?
Baltimore Orioles veteran right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge was called upon in the ninth inning on Thursday with the team up by two runs, and he threw a clean inning of work with no runs or hits allowed and no walks or strikeouts to earn his first save of the 2026 season in the 7-5 win over the Seattle Mariners at Camden Yards. The 36-year-old has an ERA over 6.00 on the year with a 1.57 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB in 14 2/3 innings, but most of the damage against him this year came when he allowed seven runs to the New York Yankees on May 3. Regular closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) remains on the injured list, but Rico Garcia has been manager Craig Albernaz's preferred option in the ninth inning with Helsley sidelined. However, with Garcia having a heavy workload of late, the O's opted against having him pitch on back-to-back days on Thursday, instead turning to Kittredge. Fantasy managers desperate for saves can avoid Kittredge for now. Besides, Helsley is nearing his return and could be back at the back end of the O's bullpen by next week.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Helsley Set to Begin Rehab Assignment on Thursday
Baltimore Orioles closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, per Roch Kubatko of MASN. Helsley has been on the 15-day injured list due to elbow inflammation since late April, but he appears to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues. Across 10 2/3 innings (12 games) before the injury, Helsley pitched to a 2.53 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and seven saves. While Helsley's 15.2% walk rate in a small sample size is a bit of a concern, he averaged 98.9 miles per hour on his fastball and struck out 32.6% of the batters he faced. Upon his return, he should slot back in as the primary closer in Baltimore.
Source: MASN - Roch Kubatko
Source: MASN - Roch Kubatko
Ryan Helsley Throws Live Bullpen Session on Monday
Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) threw a live bullpen session on the field at Camden Yards on Monday, according to Matt Weywrich of The Baltimore Sun. It is potentially his last step before going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 31-year-old is finally getting close to a return to the back end of Baltimore's bullpen after being sidelined since May 1 with inflammation in his right elbow. If Helsley can avoid a setback on his rehab assignment, he could come off the 15-day injured list early next week. The two-time All-Star was looking ready to bounce back after struggling with the New York Mets in 2025 following a midseason trade, allowing three earned runs with seven walks, 15 strikeouts, and seven saves in his first 12 appearances out of the bullpen with the O's before his elbow injury. The O's might ease Helsley back into save situations, but in the long run, he's their best clear option for saves in 2026. Until he returns, Rico Garcia has been manager Craig Albernaz's favorite option in save situations.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Rico Garcia Becoming a Priority Target for Saves?
Baltimore Orioles reliever Rico Garcia continues to build waiver wire value as a late-inning option. The right-hander earned his fourth save Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox, closing out a 4-2 win with two strikeouts. Garcia has been excellent this season, posting a 0.68 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, and a 30:1 K:BB with nine holds across 26 1/3 innings. Garcia's fantasy value is tied directly to saves, but the ratios and strikeout production make the profile even more useful. He has handled ninth-inning work while Ryan Helsley (elbow) remains sidelined, giving fantasy managers a clear reason to act. Rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues, Garcia should be treated as a priority pickup wherever he is still on the waiver wire, especially for managers chasing saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Helsley Could Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Baltimore Orioles right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) completed his first bullpen session on May 30 at Camden Yards, throwing 15 to 20 pitches. He threw another bullpen on June 5 in Toronto and could start a minor-league rehab assignment next week, according to MLB.com. Helsley has been on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 29) since May 1 with right-elbow inflammation, but his return to the O's bullpen could be right around the corner if he avoids a setback during his rehab assignment. The hard-throwing right-hander was Baltimore's clear-cut closer to begin the 2026 season before he injured his elbow, and he should immediately return to that role once he's reinstated from the IL. Before going down, Helsley was 0-2 with a 2.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, seven saves, 15 walks, and seven walks in 10 2/3 innings to start his Orioles tenure. Until he returns, Rico Garcia has emerged as manager Craig Albernaz's primary saves option out of the bullpen. Helsley is currently rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Rico Garcia Remains High-End, Short-Term Saves Source?
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia continued his dominant campaign Tuesday, tossing a perfect inning to secure his fourth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Red Sox. Garcia needed just 14 pitches to retire all three batters he faced, recording two strikeouts along the way. The veteran reliever has quietly become one of Baltimore's most reliable arms, allowing just two earned runs all season. Through 26 1/3 innings, he owns a 0.68 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts. With Ryan Helsley on the injured list, Garcia appears to have a firm grip on ninth-inning duties for the time being. His combination of swing-and-miss stuff and elite run prevention makes him a strong fantasy option, and a priority waiver wire target for managers searching for saves in the short term.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Rico Garcia Priority Target for Saves on the Waiver Wire?
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia notched the save in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Athletics. Garcia allowed one walk while striking out over a scoreless inning to earn his third save of the year. The 32-year-old keeps rolling and looks like one of the best relief pitchers on the waiver wire right now. He has been absolutely filthy in 2026, posting a ridiculous 0.71 ERA and 0.63 WHIP with 28 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. Garcia has allowed basically no hard contact all year (including a historic stretch with just one hit over his first 64 batters faced) and already picked up three saves while sharing high-leverage work. With Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the IL, Garcia has been handling the majority of the save chances for the Orioles. Fantasy managers chasing saves should look to add Garcia, as he's only rostered in 35% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Helsley Inching Closer to a Rehab Assignment
Ryan Helsley (elbow) progressed through a bullpen session on Saturday, throwing between 15 and 20 pitches. This was his first bullpen session since being limited to playing catch for several weeks. It was reported that the 31-year-old closer is nearing the start of a rehab assignment, although no specific timeline was provided. How he recovers from this session will be a key indicator of how quickly the team can advance his recovery process. Helsley last pitched on April 28 before landing on the injured list. He had been perfect up to that point, converting all seven of his save opportunities this season, and is expected to reclaim the closer's role once he is activated from the injured list.
Source: Roch Kubatko
Source: Roch Kubatko
Rico Garcia Can Be a Solid Bullpen Addition from the Waiver Wire
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Rico Garcia continues to share closing duties with Anthony Nunez while Ryan Helsley (elbow) is on the IL, but he could be lined up for more opportunities in the short term since Nunez has struggled. On Monday, Nunez came on in the eighth against the Rays, and he was charged with a blown save after giving up two hits and a run. Garcia came on and spun two shutout innings with one strikeout and one hit allowed in the 9th and 10th innings before the O's eventually walked off the winners in the 13th. Garcia has thrived in high-leverage spots all season, compiling a 0.77 ERA and 0.64 WHIP in his 23 1/3 innings. He could get a few more save chances while Helsley ramps back up, so he makes sense as a short-term add in deep leagues, even though he doesn't have the full-time closer role in Baltimore.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
