Baltimore Orioles News

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Ryan Helsley • RP • Orioles

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.

Yesterday

Samuel Basallo • C • Orioles

Samuel Basallo Blasts Another Home Run, Top Catcher to Target Amid Hot Streak

Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Basallo crushed a solo shot off Austin Voth during the bottom of the fifth inning, raising his home run total to nine on the season. The 21-year-old is starting to heat up and is hitting .364 (4-for-11) with two home runs, six RBI, and three runs scored over 14 plate appearances in his last five games. He is ranked as the No. 1 catcher to add based on the latest RotoBaller waiver wire rankings. Basallo is rostered in 55% of Yahoo leagues and is emerging as a top waiver wire add due to his recent hot streak.

Yesterday

Jackson Holliday • 2B • Orioles

Does Jackson Holliday Still Carry Waiver Wire Appeal Despite Slow Start?

After suffering a fractured hamate bone in February and then suffering multiple setbacks during his rehab, Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday missed almost 50 games to start the 2026 season. Since making his return from the injured list on May 19, Holliday has hit .217/.296/.348 with one home run, four RBI, four runs scored, and three stolen bases across 27 plate appearances. While the 22-year-old hasn't exactly lit up the stat sheet yet, he's working his way back from an extended absence and should be given some time to settle in. It's also a good sign that Holliday is three-for-three on the bases after he was caught stealing 11 times in 28 attempts in 2025. Holliday may never fully live up to the hype he received as a prospect, but he still profiles as a useful compiler with the ability to provide average-or-better production across all five traditional rotisserie scoring categories. Particularly in deeper league formats, Holliday is worth targeting on the waiver wire.

2 days ago

Gunnar Henderson • SS • Orioles

Gunnar Henderson Ready to Turn Things Around After Two-Homer Game?

Slowly but surely, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson has started to look more like himself in May. The 24-year-old left-handed-hitting shortstop went 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and a strikeout in the team's 11-2 rout over the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards on Wednesday to raise his season average to .222 and his OPS to .714. The strong performance was his first multi-homer game of the 2026 campaign. It definitely has not been the season that Henderson's fantasy managers were hoping for, but the buy-low window is closing quickly. Although Henderson is hitting only .222 with the end of May quickly approaching, he has 13 home runs and has gone 14-for-33 (.424) with three long balls in his last 10 games. Henderson has added 29 RBI, 30 runs scored, and six stolen bases across his 252 plate appearances on the year.

3 days ago

Trey Gibson • SP • Orioles

Trey Gibson Officially Called Up and Starting on Wednesday

The Baltimore Orioles announced that they officially recalled right-handed pitching prospect Trey Gibson from Triple-A Norfolk, and he will make the start on Wednesday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Camden Yards. In a corresponding move, the team optioned left-hander Nick Raquet to Norfolk. Gibson, the O's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, made his major-league debut earlier this year and allowed four earned runs on seven hits (two home runs) while walking three and striking out four in 6 2/3 innings over just two appearances (one start). The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Liberty University is most likely just making a spot start and will be sent back to Norfolk after Wednesday, so fantasy managers in single-year leagues and in DFS can ignore him against the first-place Rays. Gibson also hasn't gone more than five innings in any of his outings this year, including in the minors.

4 days ago

Trey Gibson • SP • Orioles

Orioles No. 4 Prospect Trey Gibson in the Mix to Earn MLB Promotion?

Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitching prospect Trey Gibson, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is with the team on the taxi squad on Tuesday and could be ready to make his big-league debut, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. The O's have their starter for Wednesday's series finale against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays listed as TBA, so Gibson could make that start. The 24-year-old made his major-league debut earlier this season and allowed four earned runs on seven hits (two homers) while walking three and striking out four in 6 2/3 innings pitched in just two outings (one start). If Gibson ends up making his second career start for Baltimore this week, fantasy managers searching for a streamer should avoid him against the first-place Rays at Camden Yards. He's a power pitcher at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, and he's gone 2-4 at Triple-A Norfolk in eight starts (31 2/3 frames) while posting a 3.69 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and 32:18 K:BB. Gibson is not rostered in any Yahoo leagues and could be heading right back to Norfolk on Thursday if he makes a spot start on Wednesday.

5 days ago

Rico Garcia • RP • Orioles

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.

5 days ago

Jackson Holliday • 2B • Orioles

Jackson Holliday Worth a Pickup Despite Slow Start in 2026?

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday was rostered in most fantasy baseball leagues going into his third MLB season in 2026 before he suffered a fractured hamate bone in his hand back in February that required surgery. After multiple setbacks during his minor-league rehab assignment, Holliday didn't make his season debut until May 19. The 22-year-old former first overall pick is now rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues (42%), and he has yet to make a start against a left-handed pitcher since coming off the injured list. And in his first five games played this year, Holliday has gone 2-for-11 with a homer, two RBI, two steals, and three runs scored. The son of former MLB star Matt Holliday was a first overall pick for a reason, though, and he was three home runs and three stolen bases shy of a 20-20 campaign in 2025 in his first full year in the big leagues. The upside is evident, and Holliday should slowly start to be trusted in an everyday role once he's further removed from his hand injury. Once he starts to heat up, it might be too late to pick him up off the waiver wire.

6 days ago

Rico Garcia • RP • Orioles

Rico Garcia Works in Sixth Inning, Not Expected to Fully Claim Closer Role?

Baltimore Orioles reliever Rico Garcia struck out one over two-thirds of an inning to earn the hold in Friday's 7-4 win over the Detroit Tigers. Garcia replaced Chris Bassit during the sixth inning and retired both batters he faced. The Orioles called on Anthony Nunez for the ninth inning to close out Friday's game. Nunez struck out two over a scoreless inning to pick up his third save of the season. Garcia has been used in high-leverage situations but has not notched a save since May 10. The 32-year-old has been great this season, posting a 0.84 ERA, 0.56 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts over 21 1/3 frames. Injured closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) is expected to return at the end of May and will regain his role as Baltimore's primary closer when he returns. Garcia should be rostered in leagues that reward holds, but fantasy managers should not count on Garcia for saves for the time being.

May 23

Jackson Holliday • 2B • Orioles

Jackson Holliday Worth Picking Up Now That he's Healthy?

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday suffered a fractured hamate bone in his hand back in February and required surgery, putting him on the injured list to start the 2026 regular season in late March. The 22-year-old former first overall pick in 2022 then had multiple setbacks while on a minor-league rehab assignment, which is why he didn't make his season debut until this week against the Tampa Bay Rays. Holliday has gone hitless in his first four plate appearances with the O's with three strikeouts, and he also struggled while in the minors, slashing .176/.291/.284 with a homer, five RBI, six runs, one steal, 10 walks, and 23 strikeouts in 22 rehab games with High-A Frederick, Double-A Chesapeake, and Triple-A Norfolk. Fantasy managers shouldn't forget that Holliday came three home runs and three steals shy of a 20-20 season in 2025 in what was his first full year in the big leagues. He's still a developing young player with plenty of power/speed upside; it might just take him a bit to get back in a rhythm. Holliday is worth stashing for his upside as Baltimore's starting second baseman, and he's only rostered in 40% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

May 21

Jackson Holliday • 2B • Orioles

Jackson Holliday Batting Seventh in Season Debut for O's on Tuesday

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Monday before the series opener against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, but he didn't play. Holliday will start at second base and bat seventh in the lineup in his 2026 season debut against Rays right-hander Griffin Jax. The 22-year-old former first overall pick in 2022 needed surgery for a fractured hamate bone in his right hand in February, but he's just now making his season debut due to multiple setbacks he encountered while on his minor-league rehab assignment. Fantasy managers still holding Holliday have to be disappointed that he's hitting near the bottom of the batting order, but there is plenty of time to move his way up the lineup if he produces offensively. Don't be surprised if Holliday is slow to get back into a rhythm at the plate after slashing just .176/.291/.284 during his rehab assignment. Holliday is an emerging power/speed threat who is in just his second full season in the majors. He's currently rostered in 41% of Yahoo leagues, but he'll become a priority waiver addition if he starts putting up numbers in Baltimore.

May 19

Jackson Holliday • 2B • Orioles

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday

The Baltimore Orioles announced that they reinstated infielder Jackson Holliday (hand) from the 10-day injured list on Monday and optioned catcher Maverick Handley to Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. Holliday is back with Baltimore, but he wasn't included in the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener in Tampa against the division-rival Rays. The 22-year-old will be Baltimore's starting second baseman now that he's back from a broken hamate bone in his right hand that required surgery back in spring training, and he should make his 2026 season debut in Game 2 of the series at Tropicana Field against the Rays on Tuesday. Although fantasy managers might be skeptical of Holliday after he hit just .176/.291/.284 with a .574 OPS in 22 minor-league rehab games, he deserves to be rostered in more than the 41% of Yahoo leagues that he currently is. Holliday was the former first overall pick in 2022 and made strides in his first full big-league season in 2025 with 17 home runs, 55 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and a .242/.314/.375 slash line in 149 total games.

May 18

Jackson Holliday • 2B • Orioles

Jackson Holliday Back With Orioles, a Prime Waiver-Wire Pickup?

The Baltimore Sun's Matt Weyrich reports that Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand) is with the team ahead of their series opener on Monday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. Holliday has not played at all in the big leagues in 2026 after having surgery for a fractured hamate bone in his hand back in spring training, and he had two setbacks on the farm while on a minor-league rehab assignment. In 22 rehab games with High-A Frederick, Double-A Chesapeake, and Triple-A Norfolk, the former first overall pick has hit just .176 (13-for-74) with a homer, five RBI, six runs, a stolen base, 10 walks, and 23 strikeouts in 86 plate appearances. Despite the poor showing at the plate during his rehab assignment, it looks like Holliday, the son of former big-league outfielder Matt Holliday, might be activated from the 10-day injured list on Monday before the series opener against the Rays. Holliday took a step forward in his first full MLB season in 2025 and has clear 20-20 potential as a power/speed threat as Baltimore's regular second baseman. Fantasy managers in need of middle-infield help should look Holliday's way, as he's rostered in only 41% of Yahoo leagues currently.

May 18

Samuel Basallo • C • Orioles

Samuel Basallo a Waiver Priority While on Nine-Game Hitting Streak

Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 13-3 loss to the hosting Washington Nationals in D.C. to extend his current hitting streak to nine games. The left-handed-hitting Dominican backstop is now batting .278 on the year with an .833 OPS as one of the better young hitters in the game. He also has a decent .341 on-base percentage and .492 slugging percentage with six home runs and 17 RBI on the year across 138 plate appearances. The 21-year-old will see regular playing time between catcher and designated hitter while sharing time behind the plate with Adley Rutschman. Manager Craig Albernaz has said that Basallo has earned the right to face left-handed pitchers, which is huge. So far in 2026, he's gone 7-for-25 (.280) against southpaws with one of his six home runs. Basallo is one of the better young catchers in the game, and he's rostered in only 40% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

May 17

Ryan Helsley • RP • Orioles

Ryan Helsley Plays Catch, Feeling Much Better

Baltimore Orioles right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) played catch on Friday for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list, and he is feeling much better, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Helsley landed on the shelf on May 1. It's good news that he's throwing, but he still has some boxes to check and will most likely need a short minor-league rehab assignment before he can rejoin the back end of Baltimore's bullpen. The 31-year-old former fifth-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015 out of Northeastern State University is a two-time All-Star who led the league with 49 saves in 2024. Helsley also had 21 saves for St. Louis last year before being traded to the New York Mets and falling apart in 22 appearances. He was bouncing back in Baltimore before his elbow injury, striking out 15 while picking up seven saves in his first 10 2/3 innings. Keep him stashed in all fantasy leagues, as he should immediately take over closing duties upon his return. In the meantime, Rico Garcia has proven to be an elite short-term source of saves for fantasy managers.

May 15

Jordan Westburg • 3B • Orioles

Jordan Westburg to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (elbow) will have season-ending elbow surgery, a source told Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Westburg will end up not even playing at all in 2026 due to a partially torn UCL in his right elbow that he suffered during spring training. He was attempting to avoid going under the knife, but a recent setback convinced him to have season-ending surgery. The 27-year-old infielder can now obviously be dropped in all single-year fantasy baseball leagues. He's currently still rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues. With Westburg out this year, the O's have primarily been using Coby Mayo and Weston Wilson at the hot corner in Baltimore, with Jeremiah Jackson and Blaze Alexander being other options. When former first overall pick Jackson Holliday (hand) eventually makes his 2026 season debut, he, too, could be an option to handle third base this year in Westburg's absence. Barring a setback in his rehab from elbow surgery, Westburg should be fully healed in time for spring training next year and the start of the 2027 regular season. UPDATE: Westburg had Tommy John surgery on Wednesday.

May 15

Rico Garcia • RP • Orioles

Rico Garcia an Elite Short-Term Source of Saves

Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Rico Garcia has been nearly unhittable so far this year and is an elite short-term source of saves for fantasy managers with regular closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) still on the injured list. Garcia has given up just one earned run in 19 innings pitched for the O's. Since giving up a home run on April 21 to the Kansas City Royals, Garcia has tossed seven shutout innings with no hits allowed, three walks, and nine strikeouts, and he has also won a game, picked up two saves, and recorded three holds in the process. Overall, the 32-year-old veteran's numbers on the year look absurd -- 3-0 record, 0.47 ERA (2.58 FIP), 0.42 WHIP, 22 strikeouts, seven walks, and three saves in 19 innings pitched. Right-hander Anthony Nunez picked up a save for Baltimore on Monday, but Garcia is the clear best option in the Orioles' bullpen for save chances until Helsley returns from his elbow injury. When Helsley is back, Garcia will still be a strong option in holds leagues. Right now, he's rostered in only 36% of Yahoo leagues.

May 15

Jordan Westburg • 3B • Orioles

Jordan Westburg Considering Season-Ending Elbow Surgery?

Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said that infielder Jordan Westburg (elbow) met with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday, according to Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. Westburg is still in talks with his support team, including doctors and agent Scott Boras, about his next steps. "They're going through the options, next steps, what he wants to do," Albernaz said. The 27-year-old has not played at all this year due to a partially torn UCL in his right elbow, and it sounds as though Westburg and his representatives are deciding on whether he should undergo what would be season-ending surgery. Westburg recently had a setback, which prompted his visit with ElAttrache. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues have run out of patience, and rightfully so, as he's currently rostered in just 16% of Yahoo leagues. Coby Mayo has been a big beneficiary of Westburg's injury as far as playing time at third base, but he's hitting only .162 (17-for-105) on the year and is losing at-bats to Weston Wilson of late at the hot corner.

May 13

Pete Alonso • 1B • Orioles

Pete Alonso Underwhelming in First Year in Baltimore

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso had an eight-game hitting streak earlier this month, but he's only hitting .211 (34-for-161) so far in 43 games in his first season with the O's. The former National League Rookie of the Year and five-time All-Star also has a career-low .306 on-base percentage, career-low .728 OPS, eight home runs, 22 RBI, 27 runs scored, and one stolen base in 183 plate appearances to this point. Since his eight-game hitting streak, Alonso has gone 1-for-15 at the plate with no walks and four strikeouts in the last four contests. The Polar Bear has underwhelmed through the first month-plus of 2026, but savvy fantasy managers in need of power should be trying to acquire him for pennies on the dollar. Despite his lackluster production so far, Alonso is in the 94th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 72nd percentile in xwOBA. His expected slugging percentage also sits at .468 despite currently being an uncharacteristic .422. The 31-year-old elite power hitter should settle in eventually to his new environment.

May 13

Taylor Ward • LF • Orioles

Taylor Ward Playing Through Bone Bruise in his Hand

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward (hand) said he has been playing through a bone bruise in his hand that he suffered on April 13 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. It would help explain why Ward only has one home run in his first 148 at-bats with Baltimore this year. Since April 13, the 32-year-old veteran right-handed hitter has gone 18-for-85 (.212) with one homer, four doubles, four RBI, 19 runs scored, and a steal. However, he is drawing walks at a nice rate, drawing 31 walks while striking out 17 times. Overall, Ward is slashing .264/.424/.378 with an .802 OPS, 12 RBI, and 27 runs scored in his 148 at-bats. He says that his hand injury has healed now, so hopefully we'll start to see an uptick in power production from the former first-round pick in 2015 out of Fresno State. Ward is currently in the 83rd percentile for xwOBA, but he's in just the 28th percentile in hard-hit rate. We'll be watching closely to see if his hard-hit rate starts to creep up with better health. Fantasy managers may want to consider buying low on the right-handed power bat.

May 13

Baltimore Orioles News

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