Fantasy News

• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Takes care of business for save

  Rotowire Apr 17, 2024

  Helsley earned another save Tuesday against the Athletics, striking out a batter in a perfect inning of work. Helsley shut down the A's in the ninth on consecutive nights to pick up his league-leading seventh save of the year. He's been perfect over his last four outings, allowing no hits while boasting a 7:0 K:BB and converting all four of his save chances. After pitching back-to-back nights, it's likely Helsley gets Wednesday off, which could put Andrew Kittredge or Giovanny Gallegos in line for a save chance.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Notches sixth save

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2024

  Helsley earned a save against the Athletics on Monday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning of work. Helsley had no trouble slamming the door on Oakland in the bottom of the ninth frame, retiring the side on just 10 pitches, four of which were swinging strikes. After blowing his first save chance of the campaign against the Dodgers on March 30, the right-hander has been successful on each of his subsequent six attempts, and he's held the opponent scoreless in seven of his past eight outings. On the season, Helsley has an impressive 11:1 K:BB over nine innings.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Slams door for save

  Rotowire Apr 13, 2024

  Helsley struck out two batters in a perfect inning and earned a save against the Diamondbacks on Friday. Helsley worked quickly Friday, needing just 11 pitches to finish off the 9-6 win. He's now converted five of his six save chances through eight appearances. He lowered his ERA to 3.38 with a strong 9:1 K:BB. Helsley has punched out four batters in two perfect frames since taking a loss against the Phillies on April 8.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Bounces back with save

  Rotowire Apr 10, 2024

  Helsley earned his fourth save Tuesday in a win over the Phillies after tossing a scoreless ninth inning. He did not allow a baserunner and struck out two. Helsley shut the door on the Phillies with a perfect inning and secured the shutout for the Cardinals. He's now tied with four others for the second-most saves in baseball with four and has allowed just one run over his last six innings.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Takes extra-inning loss

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  Helsley (1-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk over one inning, taking the extra-inning loss Monday versus the Phillies. He did not record a strikeout. Helsley was brought in to pitch the 10th inning, but he gave up an RBI double to Alec Bohm and a sacrifice fly to Bryson Stott after intentionally walking Bryce Harper with one out. This was the first time Helsley has given up runs since he blew a save March 30 versus the Dodgers. All six of the right-hander's appearances have been one inning so far -- in previous years, he's been tasked with getting more than three outs, but manager Oliver Marmol told reporters Sunday that Helsley will not be doing that as often in 2024, per Katie Woo of The Athletic. Helsley has a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 5:1 K:BB while converting three of his four save chances so far this season.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Notches third save

  Rotowire Apr 6, 2024

  Helsley gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his third save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Marlins. The right-hander needed only six pitches (five strikes) to breeze through the middle of Miami's order. Helsley has blown one save chance already, but he has a 5:0 K:BB through five innings and has reeled off four straight scoreless appearances. If he can stay healthy in 2024, he should be able to top the career-high 19 saves he produced in 2022.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Locks down second save

  Rotowire Apr 4, 2024

  Helsley struck out one in a perfect ninth inning against the Marlins on Thursday to earn his second save of the season. After allowing a pair of runs in a blown save versus the Dodgers in his first outing this year, Helsley's now delivered three straight scoreless appearances while earning a pair of saves. Helsley should have a fairly firm grasp on the closing job in St. Louis after he went 14-for-19 in save chances with a 2.45 ERA and 52:17 K:BB last season.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Converts first save of 2024

  Rotowire Apr 3, 2024

  Helsley snared the save Tuesday, yielding one hit and no walks during a scoreless inning. He struck out two. Since allowing a pair of runs and blowing the save in his first appearance of the new season, Helsley has put together back-to-back scoreless frames against San Diego. Considering the 29-year-old has generated ERAs of 2.45 and 1.25 the past two seasons, Helsley's blown save should be much of a concern.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Solid to begin spring

  Rotowire Mar 3, 2024

  Helsley has allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three over two innings across two Grapefruit League appearances. Helsley enters 2024 with a tentative grasp on the closing role in St. Louis. A forearm injury derailed his 2023, though he was solid with 14 saves and a 2.45 ERA over 36.2 innings last season. The Cardinals have retooled their bullpen a bit, but Helsley should remain the favorite for saves to begin the campaign.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Agrees to terms with Cards

  Rotowire Jan 11, 2024

  Helsley signed a one-year, $3.8 million contract with the Cardinals on Thursday to avoid arbitration, John Denton of MLB.com reports. A forearm strain forced Helsley to miss roughly three months of the 2023 campaign, but he still managed to accumulate 14 saves while posting a 2.45 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 36.2 innings. The 29-year-old righty surrendered just one run and struck out 19 batters in 11.2 innings after returning from his injury and should again close for the Cardinals in 2024.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Shaky in 14th save

  Rotowire Oct 1, 2023

  Helsley allowed two hits and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Reds. Helsley got the job done despite a bit of a shaky outing. While he lost nearly three months to a forearm injury, Helsley was sharp when healthy. He converted 14 of 19 save chances this year but also maintained a 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 52:17 K:BB across 36.2 innings while working as the Cardinals' primary closer when available.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Snares 13th save

  Rotowire Sep 27, 2023

  Helsley picked up the save in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Brewers. He struck out three over a perfect inning. Helsley was dominant while securing his 13th save of the season, a resurgent effort after he'd walked three batters and blown a save in his last appearance. In September, Helsley owns a 0.84 ERA and a 17:6 K:BB with six saves across 10.2 innings.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Blows save Saturday

  Rotowire Sep 24, 2023

  Helsley allowed a run on three walks and struck out two over 1.1 innings, taking a blown save in Saturday's 5-2 extra-innings win over the Padres. Helsley was called upon for a four-out save opportunity, but he faltered in a wild ninth inning. He threw 15 of 30 pitches for strikes and set a season high with three free passes. Helsley is now 12-for-17 in save chances this season while posting a 2.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 47:17 K:BB over 34.2 innings. He had pitched 8.1 scoreless innings and converted five saves since returning from a forearm injury before Saturday's sloppy outing.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Notches save Monday

  Rotowire Sep 19, 2023

  Helsley pitched 1.1 perfect innings and struck out two to earn the save in Monday's 1-0 win over the Brewers. Helsley's last six outings have come in three pairs of back-to-back days. He's gone 8.1 innings without allowing a run since returning from a forearm injury, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out 12 in that span. The closer is up to 12 saves, two holds and four blown saves while pitching to a 2.43 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 45:14 K:BB through 33.1 innings this season.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Picks up fourth consecutive save

  Rotowire Sep 18, 2023

  Helsley pitched a scoreless ninth while allowing a hit, a walk and striking out two en route to his 11th save of the year. Helsley pitched himself out of some slight trouble after the Phillies had men on first and second with one out. The 28-year-old has returned to old form since coming off the injured list, allowing just two hits and owning a 10:3 K:BB over seven scoreless frames while picking up four saves over the last eight days.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Secures ninth save

  Rotowire Sep 13, 2023

  Helsley picked up the save in Tuesday's win over Baltimore, tossing a perfect inning. Helsley needed just seven pitches to set down the top of Baltimore's lineup in order, securing a 5-2 victory. The 29-year-old flamethrower has successfully converted the Cardinals' last two save opportunities, posting five consecutive scoreless appearances since his return from injury Sept. 1. As of now, Helsley seems to have returned to primary closing duties for the Cardinals.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Nabs save Saturday

  Rotowire Sep 10, 2023

  Helsley earned a save against the Reds on Saturday, walking one batter and notching one strikeout over one scoreless inning. Helsley entered with a one-run lead in the ninth inning and walked the first batter he faced but quickly rebounded to induce a double-play groundout. He then worked a full count to Will Benson before ending the contest with a punchout. This was Helsley's first save opportunity since he returned from an extended stay on the injured list Sept. 1. The right-hander has been excellent since being activated, posting a 6:2 K:BB while allowing just one hit over four scoreless frames.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Activated from injured list

  Rotowire Sep 1, 2023

  The Cardinals reinstated Helsley (forearm) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports. Helsley landed on the injured list in mid-June with a right forearm strain. Given that he has been sidelined for nearly three months and performed poorly (4 ER over 4.1 IP) during his rehab assignment, the Cardinals will likely limit him to a lower-leverage role out of the gate. Brendan Donovan (elbow) was moved to the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Eyeing Friday return

  Rotowire Aug 30, 2023

  Helsley (forearm) is on track to be activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports. Helsley had initially hoped to return Wednesday, but the Cardinals will hold off until rosters expand to make the move. The reliever has had multiple starts and stops as he works his way back from a right forearm strain, but his return is now imminent. It's possible Helsley works his way back into closing situations, although it probably wouldn't happen right away considering he's been sidelined since early June. JoJo Romero has been the primary closer for the Cards of late, with Giovanny Gallegos also in the mix.

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• Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Eyeing Wednesday return

  Rotowire Aug 28, 2023

  Helsley (forearm) said he's expecting to be activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports. Helsley was recently pulled off his minor-league assignment for about a week after experiencing pain in his forearm during his Aug. 18 outing with Double-A Springfield, but he rejoined the affiliate over the weekend and made a one-inning appearance Sunday, giving up two earned runs on three hits while striking out a batter. Though he wasn't at his sharpest Sunday, Helsey indicated that so long as he bounces back well from that rehab outing when he's re-evaluated Monday and Tuesday, he'll be on track to rejoin the St. Louis bullpen by the middle of the week. Helsley logged seven saves in 11 chances before landing on the IL in June, but the Cardinals could elect to ease him back into the closer role coming off the lengthy absence.

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