Ryan Helsley Exercises Player Option with Orioles

Ryan Helsley, a right-handed pitcher for the Orioles, has decided to exercise his $14 million player option, opting to stay with the team through 2027 instead of entering free agency. This decision follows a challenging season marked by injuries that limited him to just 15 1/3 innings.

Helsley, who signed a two-year, $28 million contract with Baltimore last offseason, faced difficulties after a trade from the Mets, where he struggled significantly. His performance in 2026 was hindered by elbow issues, leading to a 4.11 ERA. Despite these setbacks, he maintained a fastball average of 98.7 mph and a solid strikeout rate.

Previously, Helsley had been one of the top relievers in baseball from 2022 to 2024, saving 82 games and achieving a 1.83 ERA during that period. His decision to remain with the Orioles allows him the chance to recover and potentially return to form before hitting the free agent market again next year.