BALTIMORE (AP) — Ryan Helsley and the Baltimore Orioles finalized a $28 million, two-year contract on Monday, a deal that includes a player option for 2027.

Helsley gets a $14 million salary next year and has a $14 million player option for 2028. If traded, he would receive a $500,000 assignment bonus from the acquiring team.

Helsley and the team had agreed to terms over the weekend, pending a physical.

Now 31, Helsley became one of baseball’s best relievers while spending his first six-plus seasons with St. Louis. The right-hander went 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 21 saves in 26 chances this year before he was traded by the Cardinals to the Mets on July 30.

Helsley struggled in New York, going 0-3 with a 7.20 ERA in 22 appearances. He allowed four homers and 16 earned runs in 20 innings an

See Full Page