Baltimore Orioles

One of three Orioles relievers (alongside Andrew Kittredge and Brandyn Garcia) cycling through ninth-inning opportunities after Baltimore traded Tyler Wells to Tampa Bay. No clear favorite has emerged across the three-man committee. Skip in 10-12-team formats. In 15-team leagues the combined save volume is worth a speculative roster spot, but no individual is worth significant FAAB at this point in the season.

The Orioles traded Tyler Wells to Tampa Bay at the deadline and have cycled through Cano, Andrew Kittredge, and Brandyn Garcia for saves. No clear favorite has emerged. Avoid unless you can absorb committee risk on your IL — save attempts here are unpredictable enough to cost you a start without delivering the counting stat.

Started @ Kansas City Royals (1W-4L, 6.50 ERA)

Started vs Los Angeles Angels (6W-7L, 4.27 ERA)

Recorded his second save, but manager Craig Albernaz continues to match relievers to lineup pockets. Andrew Kittredge and Rico Garcia remain involved, so Cano is an add for saves-needy deep leagues rather than a set-and-forget closer.

Bautista underwent shoulder surgery before the 2026 season and is almost certainly done for the year. No return timeline has been provided by the Orioles. If you're holding him in a 12-team league hoping for a September contribution, the roster spot is more valuable than his speculative return. A three-way committee of Rico Garcia, Andrew Kittredge, and Yennier Cano has been handling the ninth inning in Baltimore.

The Orioles' closer situation is a true committee with Felix Bautista lost for the season to shoulder surgery. No single pitcher has asserted control through July. Only actionable in very deep AL-only formats, and even then only with daily streaming discipline.

Rutschman (left wrist inflammation, placed IL July 20) has resumed throwing and hitting — his third IL stint of 2026. The Orioles indicate a rehab assignment could begin next week, with an early-to-mid August return possible. Don't drop him in any format.

Rutschman was placed on the 10-day IL (retroactive to July 19) with left wrist inflammation suffered on a swing in Houston — his third IL stint of 2026. He began hitting again on August 1 and is targeting a rehab assignment the week of August 3, with a mid-August return projected.

Ryan Helsley remains on the 60-day IL with no stated return timetable, leaving Wells, Yennier Cano, and Andrew Kittredge sharing ninth-inning duties. Wells has the most recent usage and the best peripheral numbers of the group — manager Albernaz has not made a permanent appointment, but Wells is the de facto target in standard 12-team leagues. Roster all three if you have the space in deeper formats.

Ryan Helsley remains on the 60-day IL with no return timetable, leaving Wells, Yennier Cano, and Andrew Kittredge sharing ninth-inning duties. Wells has the most recent usage and best peripheral numbers of the group — manager Albernaz hasn't made a permanent appointment, but Wells is the de facto No. 1. Roster all three if you have the space in deep formats; Wells is the target in standard leagues.

Helsley remains on the 60-day IL with no return timetable. Wells, Yennier Cano, and Andrew Kittredge share duties. Wells has the most recent usage and the best peripheral numbers of the group — manager Albernaz hasn't named anyone permanently but Wells is the de facto No. 1. In save-scarce leagues, roster all three if you can; Wells is the primary target.

Ryan Helsley was transferred to the 60-day IL Monday — extending his absence further than initially projected. Wells, Yennier Cano, and Grant Wolfram share duties. Wells has been the most deployed option recently and has the slight edge, but manager Albernaz has confirmed no permanent appointment. Add Wells in any format where saves are scarce; pair with Cano in 14-team-plus leagues.

Placed on 10-day IL July 20 with left wrist inflammation — his third IL stint of the 2026 season. Throwing on the field at Camden Yards Saturday but has not resumed catching drills. Eligible to return July 29, though the Orioles made no firm commitment to his timeline. Chadwick Tromp recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to back up.

Kittredge had back-to-back save chances the week prior and remains co-closer with Wells during Helsley's absence. The 36-year-old has been effective but inconsistent in deployment. If you can only roster one Oriole reliever, Wells has the slight edge this week — but roster both in 14-team-plus leagues where saves are scarce.

On the IL since July 3 with right elbow discomfort. No structural UCL damage confirmed, but nearly four weeks have passed with no concrete return timeline. A closer committee has emerged: Tyler Wells recorded back-to-back saves this weekend; Andrew Kittredge had the preferred role the prior week. Manager Albernaz is deploying on matchups with no locked-in option.

Back-to-back saves this weekend while Ryan Helsley (right elbow, IL since July 3) remains out. Wells retired all three batters both Friday and Saturday nights. He's getting a slight edge over Kittredge right now based on the weekend usage pattern, but Albernaz has stated he'll keep it matchup-based. Add in all formats if Helsley is on your IR and you need saves.

Bassitt cleared an encouraging two-batter bullpen session Saturday after bone spur back surgery. Manager Albernaz reported everything looked and felt great. The 60-day IL minimum means August 4 is the earliest possible return; mid-August is more realistic. He was posting a sub-3.50 ERA before the surgery.

Basallo was placed on the 10-day IL Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation — his first IL stint in the majors. He initially hoped to avoid the IL after leaving Sunday's game vs. Houston in the second inning, but the inflammation required extended rest. No specific return timeline has been given.

Ryan Helsley is on the 60-day IL with UCL inflammation — no surgery confirmed, but the lengthy IL designation speaks volumes. Baltimore's ninth-inning committee continues rotating between Wells, Andrew Kittredge, Rico Garcia, and Yennier Cano with no closer formally named. Wells leads by save count and has the clearest recent track record. In 12-team leagues, Wells is your best BAL option; in 15-team-plus formats, own all four.

Ryan Helsley remains on the 60-day IL with UCL inflammation — no surgery confirmed but not ruled out. Baltimore's ninth-inning committee shows no signs of consolidating: Wells leads by save count and July scoreless outings, but Andrew Kittredge, Rico Garcia, and Yennier Cano have all converted saves this season. No closer has been officially named. In 12-team leagues, Wells is the closest thing to a lead option; in 15-team-plus formats, own all four.

Ryan Helsley landed on the 60-day IL July 19 with UCL inflammation — no structural damage confirmed, but the Orioles are not ruling out surgery. Wells leads the resulting committee with the most saves and the most scoreless outings in July, but Andrew Kittredge, Rico Garcia, and Yennier Cano have all recorded saves. Baltimore has not named a closer. Roster all four in deep leagues; in 12-team formats, Wells is the closest thing to a lead option.

Rutschman was placed on the 10-day IL retroactive to July 20 with inflammation in his left wrist — his third IL trip of 2026. Manager Craig Albernaz said the team chose to 'get ahead of it' rather than let the wrist linger further. Backup catcher Samuel Basallo is also day-to-day after leaving Sunday's game with right shoulder discomfort, leaving Baltimore's catching corps in rough shape.

Ryan Helsley was transferred to the 60-day IL July 19 with UCL inflammation — no structural damage confirmed, but at least a month out with a late-September return best-case. Wells leads the resulting committee with 3 saves and scoreless outings in 6 of 7 July appearances, but Kittredge has 2 saves and Wolfram just earned one July 20. No hierarchy established — treat all three as committee adds.

Ryan Helsley is back on the IL (right elbow) and Felix Bautista remains on the 60-day IL with a shoulder injury, leaving Baltimore without an established closer for the second time in 2026. Wells, Rico Garcia, Yennier Cano, and Andrew Kittredge are all active ninth-inning candidates — the front office confirmed 'everything is on the table.' Genuine four-way committee with no handshake deal.