![\"Ryan](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2271226020-e1776881338411.jpg\")
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The Baltimore Orioles placed Ryan Helsley on the bereavement list.<\/p>\n
The Baltimore Orioles<\/a> will be without All-Star closer Ryan Helsley<\/a> for a game<\/a> against the Kansas City Royals<\/a> on Wednesday, April 22.<\/p>\n The right-hander has been placed on the bereavement\/family medical emergency list, according to a team announcement<\/a>. The Orioles recalled right-hander Jose Espada<\/a> to take Helsley\u2019s place. Helsley will be away from the team for a minimum of three days. His absence could extend to seven days.<\/p>\n #orioles<\/a> recalled RHP Jose Espada from Triple-A Norfolk. Placed RHP Ryan Helsley on the Bereavement\/Family Medical Emergency List.<\/p>\n Helsley\u2019s 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<\/a> and Bobby Witt Jr. to begin the frame. He struck out Vinnie Pasquantino<\/a>, but a wild pitch would advance Garcia to third base. Helsley uncorked another wild pitch to Salvador Perez<\/a>, allowing Garcia to score the winning run in Kansas City\u2019s 6-5 victory<\/a>.<\/p>\n Baltimore Orioles Place Ryan Helsley on Bereavement List, Recall Jose Espada<\/p>\n The Orioles inked Helsley to a two-year, $28 million deal<\/a> this offseason. The longtime St. Louis Cardinals<\/a> closer was coming off an uneven 2025 campaign. Helsley delivered 36 innings of a 3.00 ERA in the first half with the Cardinals<\/a>. 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<\/a> to the New York Mets<\/a> for a package of prospects that included Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Espada Gets Another Shot With the Big-League Club<\/p>\n 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\u2019s issued nine walks to just seven strikeouts this year.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Espada debuted with the San Diego Padres<\/a> in 2023. He pitched a scoreless inning in his lone outing. The 29-year-old doesn\u2019t have a ton of MLB<\/a> experience in his lengthy professional career, but he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Orioles\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t