Games are going away in the 2026 season. However, closer Ryan Helsley still has time to get back on the active roster.

Helsley threw a 26-pitch bullpen session earlier today, impressed Orioles observers and is nearing an injury rehab assignment.

Today marked the fifth session for Helsley as he works to return from right elbow inflammation that put him on the injured list for a second time. He’s appeared in only 17 games after signing a two-year, $28 million contract. The deal contains a $14 million player option for 2027.

Manager Craig Albernaz chatted with Helsley in his office before batting practice.

“He looked good, really good,” Albernaz said. “He threw all of his pitches, stepped on the gas a little bit. Velo was there. Yeah, it was a very encouraging bullpen, so we’ll see how he comes out tomorrow and recovers in the next couple days.

“If everything goes as planned, a live BP will be next.”

Helsley hasn’t gotten into a game since June 27. The rehab assignment won’t be accelerated. But Albernaz believes that the three remaining weeks provide room for Helsley’s return.

“I think so,” Albernaz said. “He wants to get back and pitch and be part of the team. Even though he is a part of the team. But being out there and competing.

“So yeah, he’s trending in the right direction. The bullpen today was very encouraging. We’ll love to have Ryan Helsley back.”

Félix Bautita, the reliever that Helsley was supposed to replace this season, has made four rehab appearances in his comeback from right shoulder surgery. The last three have taken place with Triple-A Norfolk, and he followed two scoreless innings by having an inherited runner score Wednesday after two-thirds of an inning. He allowed a hit, walked two batters and struck out two, and his fastball was low-to-mid 90s.

“I wouldn’t say getting ‘better’ is the right word,” Albernaz said. “He’s probably getting more comfortable is the best way to put it. His first outing, the jitters were real and the strike zone, he was tough to find it, but outside of that, his last few outings, pounding the strike zone, velo’s there. So everything is similar to Helsley, encouraged by everything, but also, we know what Félix has been through and we want to make sure we’re doing right by him and making sure that he is recovering and getting the support that he needs.

“A lot of discussions behind the scenes, but we want to make sure that he’s in the best spot he can. We want to do right by him. So it’s pretty much a day-to-day conversation to see where he’s at.”

Catcher Carlos Narváez is in the lineup again tonight with the Red Sox starting left-hander Ranger Suárez. Samuel Basallo stays on the bench, but he should be behind the plate Saturday night. Boston is starting right-hander Sonny Gray.

Lefty Payton Tolle starts Sunday afternoon.

Narváez and Rutschman gave each other a friendly pat last night in the first inning while the former Orioles catcher received a long ovation in his return to Camden Yards. Narváez and four prospects came to the Orioles in the deadline trade, but he’s 5-for-55 with no RBIs with his new team and flied out last night with two runners on base, two outs and the score tied in the seventh inning.

The Orioles are making some adjustments to Narváez’s approach, including his set-up.

“Yesterday, he had his bat on his shoulder in his stance, a little more relaxed, a little more freer,” Albernaz said. “He looked, the swing in the path, more efficient to the ball, quicker to the ball. For him to be open to making those changes, especially in-season, it’s awesome to see, and that’s a credit to him and just a competitor and athlete he is. And like yesterday, his swings were great. He was just out in front because he wasn’t used to having that much time to make a decision and to get his swing off.

“He didn’t swing and miss yesterday. I’m not saying that’s an indicator of anything, but he did a great job of laying off some tough pitches that were borderline chase pitches that started as strikes and continued out of the strike zone. He didn’t offer at them. So like we talk to all our guys with swing decisions, the more you can see ball flight before you a decision, if you have a longer swing or a bigger move, you have to make your decision sooner, and right now, the adjustments he made yesterday I think it’s going to pay a lot of dividends for him.”