The Orioles' injury woes continue, with a trio of relievers seeking second opinions and the team's trade market looking increasingly uncertain. Left-hander Keegan Akin, closer Ryan Helsley, and right-hander Colin Selby are all dealing with injuries that could impact their availability for the remainder of the season. As the Orioles struggle to find consistency, the question of whether they will make any trades at the deadline becomes more pressing.
Akin, who is in his final year of arbitration, has had a rough go of it this season. After a groin strain sidelined him for the first month, he has struggled to regain his form, posting a 5.68 ERA with a diminished 15% strikeout rate across 25 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old southpaw's underperformance and injury seem likely to take him off the trade market, even if the Orioles decide to sell at the deadline. In my opinion, this is a missed opportunity for the Orioles to trade Akin while they still can, as his value is likely to continue to decline.
Helsley, on the other hand, is sidelined by an elbow issue for the second time this year. The hard-throwing righty has struggled to find consistency, posting a 9.00 ERA in 15 1/3 innings. With a $14MM player option for next season, Helsley is trending towards locking in that salary, though that could change if he's able to make a quick return and have an excellent finish to the season. Personally, I think the Orioles should be cautious about committing to Helsley's option, given his recent struggles and the team's need for reliable relief pitching.
Selby, who has been on the 60-day injured list all season, is in his second full season with the Orioles after being acquired from Kansas City in a July 2024 DFA trade. The right-hander's shoulder issues are ongoing, and it doesn't seem likely that he'll be back anytime soon. The Orioles won't have an official timetable until his reexamination with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, but it doesn't bode well for his chance of making an impact this year. From my perspective, the Orioles should be prepared to part ways with Selby if he doesn't make a significant recovery, as his presence on the roster is no longer a given.
The Orioles' injury woes have created a challenging situation for the team, with several key relievers sidelined and the trade market looking increasingly uncertain. As the season progresses, the team will need to make some difficult decisions about their roster and whether to make any trades at the deadline. In my opinion, the Orioles should be cautious about committing to any long-term deals, given the uncertainty surrounding their roster and the team's need for reliable relief pitching.
