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 in this appearances. 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
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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
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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: Locks down 10th save
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Helsley picked up the save Wednesday against the Orioles. He allowed one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning.
After striking out the first two batters in the ninth, Helsley gave up a two-out triple to Gunnar Henderson before getting Aaron Hicks to pop out, preserving a 1-0 shutout victory. Henderson's triple was the first hit surrendered by Helsley since he returned from the IL on Sep. 1. He's been dominant in that span, earning three saves over six scoreless innings while striking out eight. Overall, Helsley improved to 10-for-14 in save opportunities with a 2.61 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 41:13 K:BB across 31 innings this season.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Secures ninth save
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Resumes rehab assignment
Rotowire
Helsley (forearm) resumed his rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Sunday and allowed two earned runs on three hits while striking out a batter over one inning.
Helsley had to be pulled off his initial rehab assignment just over a week ago due to continued discomfort with his right forearm, but an MRI came back clean and he's been cleared to return to game action. Though reliever gave up a couple runs Sunday, the Cardinals are concerned mainly with how he's feeling. Helsley has been out since early June and could be eased back into the closer's role once he's activated.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: MRI again clean on forearm
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Helsley was cleared of any structural damage in his right forearm Tuesday following another MRI, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Helsley continues to be bothered by lingering pain and tightness in his forearm, but he is scheduled to throw a bullpen session later this week in St. Louis and could then resume his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis. Given the string of recent setbacks, it's hard to guess on a timetable for his return to the Cardinals' bullpen. The 29-year-old has been on the injured list since early June.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Undergoing more exams
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Helsley (forearm) "is undergoing another round of tests and evaluation," according to John Denton of MLB.com.
Per the report, Helsley "has experienced pain and tightness between each of his four rehab appearances" this month, so he will be checked out again by the Cardinals' medical staff. Another update on his status figures to be released after the exams are performed.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Cleared to resume rehab assignment
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Helsley (forearm) will resume his rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Memphis, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
This is a quick turnaround, as Helsley was just pulled off his rehab assignment Wednesday due to renewed discomfort in the forearm he strained back in mid-June. Multiple rounds of imaging scans taken this week showed no structural damage, and he might again be on track to reclaim the closer role in St. Louis before the end of August.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Rehab assignment stalled
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Helsley (forearm) won't make a scheduled minor-league rehab appearance Wednesday due to soreness, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
There's no word yet as to the severity of the setback, but Helsley now seems doubtful to return to the St. Louis bullpen at any point this week. Sidelined since June 12 because of a right forearm strain, he had allowed two earned runs through three one-inning rehab appearances with Double-A Springfield. Giovanny Gallegos and JoJo Romero have been sharing the Cardinals' closer role in recent weeks.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Beginning assignment Sunday
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Helsely (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Sunday, Jim Hayes of Bally Sports Midwest reports.
Helsley has been on the injured list since mid-June with a right forearm strain and is now set to complete the final steps in his recovery. The 29-year-old reliever will likely make a few appearances in Double-A before moving to Triple-A Memphis, but the Cardinals are confident Helsley will be able to return when first eligible Aug. 10. Once he's back, the right-hander will likely take over as St. Louis' primary closer, though Giovanny Gallegos may offer some competition for saves.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Tosses live session
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Helsley (forearm) faced hitters in live batting practice Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
The Cardinals will likely reassess Helsley heading into the weekend, but if he reports no setbacks with his strained right forearm, he could be cleared to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The right-hander is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list next week, and he may not need much longer than the minimum amount of time to get himself ready for game action. Once activated, Helsley should have a clearer path to the ninth-inning gig, as the Cardinals moved Jordan Hicks to Toronto ahead of the trade deadline. Giovanny Gallegos currently looks like Helsley's top challenger for save chances.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Bullpen session coming Saturday
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Helsley (forearm) will throw another bullpen session Saturday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Helsley began throwing off a mound July 19 before moving to the 60-day IL on Monday, so he won't be able to return for at least another two weeks. If everything goes well Saturday, Helsley could soon progress to facing live hitters.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Throws off mound
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Helsley (forearm) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Helsley continues to ramp up his throwing program as he works his way back from a right forearm strain. He could be ready to face hitters soon. Jordan Hicks has been excellent in the closer role for the Cardinals lately, but he's likely to be traded, which would allow Helsley to slide back into his old job.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Cleared for throwing
Rotowire
Helsley (forearm) was cleared to begin a throwing program Wednesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Helsley got the go-ahead after visiting with a specialist Tuesday. He has a lot of buildup ahead, beginning with flat-ground work, but the hard-throwing right-hander should be able to return to the Cardinals before the end of July if all goes well from this point forward. Jordan Hicks has taken over the closer role in St. Louis since Helsley went down June 12 with a forearm strain.
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Cardinals' Ryan Helsley: Not close to return
Rotowire
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Sunday that Helsley (forearm) isn't close to being activated from the 15-day injured list, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
The 28-year-old was shut down from throwing for 10 days after landing on the injured list with a forearm strain June 12, and he'll need some time to build his arm back up after the shutdown period. A return after the All-Star break in mid-July still appears possible for Helsley, though he's without a clear target date for his return. Jordan Hicks has stepped in as St. Louis' primary closer in the interim, having recorded the club's past four saves.
