St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley (finger) went to get an MRI exam on the jammed middle finger of his pitching hand after he left his appearance in the Game 1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Wild-Card Series on Friday. Manager Oliver Marmol said Helsley reported a lack of feeling in his finger after he hit Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm to force in a run with the bases loaded in the ninth inning. Helsey initially jammed his finger in his final regular season appearance earlier this week, and apparently he's not past the issue. We'll have a better idea on his availability for the rest of the series this weekend after his MRI results come back, but there's a pretty good chance he won't be available for Game 2 on Saturday. If another save situation arises for the Cards, it'll likely be Giovanny Gallegos that gets the call out of the bullpen.

St. Louis Cardinals right-handed pitcher Ryan Helsley (finger) was removed from their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. Helsley was in for a five-out save, but fell apart in the ninth, giving up a hit and walking two before hitting a batter to allow a run. He was then pulled from the game after being visited by a trainer, who appeared to be looking at the finger Helsley had been having problems with the past week. The Cardinals ended up giving up six runs in the inning, four of which were charged to Helsley. This isn't good news for the fireballer, and there is a good chance he can't pitch again in this series. Stay tuned for updates on Helsley's status.

St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley (finger) didn't feel pain during his side session on Thursday and has been included on the Wild-Card roster for this weekend's series against the Philadelphia Phillies in St. Louis. It's great news for the Cardinals bullpen this weekend, and Helsley should continue to operate as St. Louis' closer in the late innings. He injured the middle finger on his right hand fielding a ball in the regular season finale on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but thankfully it wasn't a serious injury. Helsley was a perfect 7-for-7 on his save chances to close out the regular season, and he finished the year with a tidy 1.25 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, 19 saves and 94 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings.

St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley (finger), who suffered a jammed middle finger on his right hand in the regular season finale on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, is scheduled to throw during Thursday's workout to test his grip on the baseball. He was examined by the team's medical staff Thursday morning. Hopefully for the Cardinals, the 28-year-old reliever will get cleared to play in the Wild-Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, which begins on Friday in St. Louis. If Helsley isn't available on Friday or doesn't make the Wild-Card roster at all, Giovanny Gallegos would likely be the team's first option to close out any games this weekend against the Phillies.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill (hamstring) is not being added to the team's roster for the Wild-Card Series this weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to general manager John Mozeliak. O'Neill was injured in mid-September and hasn't been able to rejoin the lineup since, and he hasn't made enough progress to be included on the roster for the opening series of the playoffs. The 27-year-old was a disappointment in 2022, hitting .228/.308/.392 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, 56 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in 334 at-bats. If the Cardinals advance to play the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series, it remains to be seen if O'Neill would be able to rejoin the team next week.

The St. Louis Cardinals activated right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks (arm) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has made 34 appearances for the National League Central club this season, eight of which were starts. He's thrown 60.1 innings, pitching to a 4.92 ERA and a 4.19 FIP in those 60.1 innings while registering 63 strikeouts and 35 walks. The right-hander has also logged eight holds as a reliever for the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley (finger) jammed his right middle finger in the eighth inning of Tuesday's 8-7 extra-inning win over the Pirates, exiting after getting one out. However, manager Oli Marmol said after the game that he "should be fine", suggesting that Helsley should be available for Friday's NL Wild Card Game 1. This is good news, as Helsley has been a huge asset for the Cardinals and fantasy managers this season, converting 19 of 23 saves with a 1.25 ERA and a 13.08 K/9 rate. His overpowering stuff should make him a higher-end fantasy closer next season as long as he maintains a defined role.

St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley (hand) left his appearance on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates alongside trainer Chris Conroy and appeared to be focusing on his right hand after fielding a ball in play. Helsley threw one pitch after, shook his head, and left the field. The Cardinals will surely be releasing more information on his condition after the game or early Wednesday morning, but it's not what you want to see in the penultimate game of the regular season just before the playoffs begin this weekend. The 28-year-old retired the only hitter he faced in the eighth inning on Tuesday, but hopefully the injury isn't serious enough to sideline him for the wild-card series that starts on Friday. If Helsley's injury keeps him off the playoff roster, Giovanny Gallegos would likely become the primary ninth-inning option.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that outfielder Tyler O'Neill (hamstring) hasn't made enough progress with his injury to be in the mix for the team's wild-card roster. O'Neill has been out since Sept. 16, and even if the Cardinals advance to the National League Division Series next week, there's a good chance that O'Neill might not be ready to return. The 27-year-old managed to play in just 96 regular season games this year and also hit a disappointing .228/.308/.392 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, 56 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in 334 at-bats. With O'Neill out for the wild-card round, Dylan Carlson should continue serving as the team's starting center fielder.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (thigh) remains out of the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Arenado's injury isn't serious at all, but the Cardinals aren't pushing him in the last couple days of the regular season with the team already locked into a playoff spot in the wild-card series this weekend. It remains to be seen if the 31-year-old All-Star will play in Game 162 on Wednesday, but he'll almost certainly be ready for Friday's first playoff game. With Arenado out, rookie Juan Yepez is at the hot corner and is hitting sixth against Pirates right-hander JT Brubaker. Yepez has swung the bat well in 11 games since Sept. 21, going 10-for-35 (.286) with a homer, two RBI and three runs scored for the Cards.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill (hamstring) may not return from the 10-day injured list during the team's upcoming postseason run. "I think there's a shot, but obviously, the clock is ticking," said Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak. The 27-year-old sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain on September 17. He has been limited to 96 games due to injuries, slashing .228/.308/.392 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, 56 runs, and 14 stolen bases over 383 plate appearances. O'Neill is not expected to return before the regular season, and his status for the postseason is up in the air. Dylan Carlson will continue to see everyday at-bats while O'Neill is sidelined.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (knee) will remain sidelined for Friday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 40-year-old catcher will miss his third game in a row due to right knee soreness. The organization does consider him day-to-day, so hopefully he can avoid a trip to the injured list. Andrew Knizner will cover behind the plate and bat eighth against left-hander Andrew Heaney on Friday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jordan Hicks (arm, neck) has been placed on the injured list. The right-hander hasn't pitched since September 15th due to arm fatigue and neck spasms. The 26-year-old has a 4.92 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 63/35 K/BB ratio across 60.3 innings of work. The organization has recalled left-hander Steven Matz in a corresponding move. This won't mean too much in terms of fantasy baseball because both players were struggling. At this point, it's probably a good idea to avoid both players.

The St. Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Tyler O'Neill (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain on Saturday and activated outfielder Dylan Carlson (thumb) from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Right-hander Dakota Hudson will serve as the team's 29th player for their doubleheader Saturday. O'Neill injured his leg attempting to steal a base on Friday night and will miss at least the next 10 days of action. The Cards are optimistic that his injury isn't very serious. With the 27-year-old on the shelf, Carlson should serve as the team's everyday center fielder. O'Neill has hit a disappointing .228, but he also has 14 home runs, 58 RBI, 56 runs scored and 14 stolen bases on the year in 383 plate appearances and 96 games.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson (thumb) began his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Friday night by going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Carlson started the game in center field and played eight innings in the contest. He's been out of the Cardinals lineup since early September with a left thumb sprain, but he's getting closer to a return to the big leagues, and he could be activated from the injured list early next week. The 23-year-old should return to an everyday role in St. Louis' lineup when the team deems he's ready to return. In 383 at-bats this year, Carlson has hit .240/.316/.386 with eight home runs, 39 RBI, 48 runs scored and five stolen bases across 112 games in his third big-league season.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Steven Matz (knee) is set to make another rehab start with Double-A Springfield on Saturday. The 31-year-old lefty made a rehab start earlier this week, pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings. If he continues with his progression, he could return to the Cardinals in the next few weeks or so. Matz has been out since July 24 with an MCL tear in his left knee. He put together a 5.70 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 51:9 K/BB ratio over 10 starts (42 2/3 innings) before going down.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill (neck) is back in center field and is hitting sixth on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Roansy Contreras. O'Neill woke up with neck stiffness on Thursday and was scratched from the starting lineup, but he's back in there a day later. On the season as a whole, the 27-year-old has hit only .225/.301/.384 with 13 home runs, 57 RBI, 51 runs scored and 11 stolen bases in 315 at-bats. In six games to start the month of September, he's gone 4-for-20 (.200) with a homer, four RBI, four runs scored and six strikeouts. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues will want to get O'Neill back into their lineups, but DFS gamers may want to look elsewhere.

Updating a previous report, St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that outfielder Tyler O'Neill (neck) woke up with a stiff neck on Thursday, which is why he was scratched from the starting lineup against the Washington Nationals. If the game had been later, he likely would have played. It doesn't sound like much of a concern for the 27-year-old, who could be back in the lineup as soon as Friday for the start of a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With O'Neill out Thursday, Ben DeLuzio is getting the nod in center field and is batting ninth against Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray. DeLuzio has played in just four major league games in his rookie season and is still searching for his first hit in two plate appearances.

The St. Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Dylan Carlson (thumb) on the 10-day injured list with a left thumb sprain on Wednesday and selected the contract of outfielder Alec Burleson from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. The Cardinals also designated outfielder Conner Capel for assignment to clear room for Burleson. Carlson hasn't been playing every day in the second half of the season, so those still clinging onto him in deeper leagues can probably drop him at this point. He's currently hitting .240/.316/.386 with eight homers, 39 RBI, 48 runs and five steals in 383 at-bats on the season. Burleson is the team's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but it remains to be seen how much he'll play over Corey Dickerson, Tyler O'Neill and Lars Nootbaar with Carlson sidelined.

The St. Louis Cardinals activated starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list on Monday. Flaherty has made three starts in the Majors this season, allowing nine walks, eight hits, five earned runs, and a home run in eight innings while registering six strikeouts. He previously made 17 appearances for the Cardinals in 2021, 15 of which were starts. In those 17 appearances, Flaherty pitched to a 3.22 ERA, a 4.22 FIP, 85 strikeouts, and 26 walks in 78.1 innings. St. Louis optioned fellow starter Dakota Hudson to Triple-A to make room on the active roster for the 26-year-old. St. Louis also designated pitcher Junior Fernandez for assignment.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (shoulder) gave up just one run on four hits while walking three and striking out three in 5 1/3 innings in his latest minor league rehab start for Triple-A Memphis on Friday night. It was his first win in his fourth rehab start, but he also uncorked two wild pitches in the outing. The 26-year-old right-hander threw 85 pitches in the start, so there's a chance he could rejoin St. Louis' rotation if the Cardinals coaching staff feels he's ready. Flaherty could return to major league action as soon as next Wednesday, although he'll be extra risky in what will be his first big-league start since June 26. He has battled through injuries all year and has only made three starts for the Red Birds in 2022.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty (shoulder) will make his next rehab start Sunday with Double-A Springfield. He pitched well in his previous rehab start, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out four across three scoreless innings. The 26-year-old has been sidelined most of the season due to a shoulder injury. Barring any setbacks on Sunday, Flaherty is on track to rejoin the Cardinals rotation in early September. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Flaherty in all league formats.