Orioles closer Ryan Helsley finally is making some progress in his attempt to return from a second stint on the injured list.

The latest injury report from the club shows that Helsley has progressed to bullpen sessions. He told the media in St. Louis that he threw 15-to-20 pitches over the weekend, including off-speed stuff, at Camden Yards.

That’s one step. Many more must follow.

Helsley hasn’t pitched since June 27 due to another bout with right elbow inflammation. He’s been restricted to only 17 appearances, posting a 4.11 ERA and 1.435 WHIP with a team-leading eight saves.

The Orioles signed Helsley to a two-year, $28 million contract after closer Félix Bautista underwent surgery in August to repair his right labrum and rotator cuff. Bautista began a rehab assignment Sunday at Double-A Chesapeake and advanced it to Triple-A Norfolk today.

Rosters expand to 28 players on Sept. 1. Helsley has a shot at rejoining the Orioles much later in the month. He remains hopeful that his season isn’t over.

The contract he signed includes an opt-out clause which he seems less likely to exercise, but that’s business for another day.

Blaze Alexander, on the injured list after fracturing his left hand on a hit-by-pitch on July 12, begins his rehab assignment tonight with Norfolk. He’s batting second and playing third base in Durham.

Alexander is hopeful that he can be reinstated while the Orioles are in Sacramento. Otherwise, he’d be part of the September roster expansion.

Alexander is situated between outfielders Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Heston Kjerstad in the Norfolk lineup. Cade Povich is starting.

In other injury news, manager Craig Albernaz told the media earlier today that Tyler O’Neill is out of the lineup against Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore due to right shoulder soreness that occurred after his diving catch Saturday night.

O’Neill will undergo an MRI later today. Luis Vázquez is on the taxi squad.

High-A Frederick’s RJ Austin, a third-round pick in the 2025 draft out of Vanderbilt University, is going on the seven-day IL with left wrist discomfort. He’s batting a combined .270/.372/.444 with eight doubles, five triples, eight home runs and 31 RBIs with 34 stolen bases in 40 attempts in 65 games between Frederick and Single-A Delmarva.

Sixty-two of those games were played with the Keys.

Infielder Jaiden Lo Re, a fifth-round pick in 2025, moved up today from Delmarva to Frederick after batting .325/.439/.443 in 56 games with the Shorebirds. He hit .354/.421/.462 in 20 games in the Florida Complex League.

Chesapeake catcher Ethan Anderson was reinstated from the injured list.