| | 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 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. |
| | 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. |
| | The St. Louis Cardinals recalled left-handed starter Matthew Liberatore from Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday. The 22-year-old rookie has made eight appearances in his first season in the Majors this year. Six of those eight outings were starts. All told, the left-hander has pitched to a 5.46 ERA and a 5.03 FIP in 29.2 innings of work. He's also logged 25 strikeouts and 14 walks in his time with the Cardinals. St. Louis also optioned pitchers Dakota Hudson and JoJo Romero to Triple-A to make room for Liberatore and right-hander Jordan Hicks, who was activated from the 15-day injured list. |