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 relief pitcher Ryan Helsley struggled, but was able to hold off the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. The right-hander was brought in during the ninth inning to protect a two-run game. The 28-year-old allowed one run, but was able to escape with his 16th save of the season. He has now converted 16 of his 20 save chances this season. Fantasy managers should be able to continue leaning on Helsley throughout the rest of the season.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that closer Ryan Helsley is likely to rejoin the team from the restricted list on Friday for the start of a series against the Atlanta Braves. The Cardinals originally thought that Helsley would return on Wednesday, but he has taken a bit more time to be with his wife after the couple welcomed their first child last week. The 28-year-old right-hander has been one of the best relievers in baseball this year, going 7-1 with a 0.91 ERA, a 0.66 WHIP and a 72:13 K:BB in 49 2/3 innings for the Red Birds. He's also saved 12 games and should return as the team's full-time closer this weekend when he's activated from the restricted list. If a save opportunity arises before then, expect Giovanny Gallegos to get the call.

St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley won't return from the restricted list on Wednesday. Helsley was placed on the paternity list late last week and was then sent to the restricted list, but he should rejoin the team's bullpen later this week. Giovanny Gallegos has been filling in as the closer and recorded a save on Sunday, but Helsley is fully expected to return as the primary ninth-inning arm for St. Louis when he's activated. The 28-year-old right-hander has been almost unhittable in 40 relief appearances in 2022, posting a 0.91 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 12 saves and 72 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers should have him back soon.

St. Louis Cardinals skipper Oliver Marmol said he thinks All-Star closer Ryan Helsley will come off the restricted list to rejoin the team on Wednesday. Helsley was initially placed on the paternity list, and he and his wife welcomed their first child last week. The 28-year-old right-hander should return as the Cardinals primary closing option, so grab him immediately if he was dropped for whatever reason in your league. In 40 appearances out of the bullpen in 2022, Helsley is 7-1 with a pristine 0.91 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 12 saves and 72 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings pitched. Giovanny Gallegos was serving as St. Louis' primary closer with Helsley away, but he'll return to a high-end setup role with Helsley returning this week.

St. Louis Cardinals right-handed pitcher Ryan Helsley (personal) has been placed on paternity leave by the team. The fireballer will likely miss all of this weekend's series against the Arizona Diamondbacks as he awaits the arrival of his baby. Helsley has been a revelation this season, taking over the Cardinals' closer job while consistently hitting 100mph with his fastball. He also has an astounding 0.91 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts over 49 IP while recording 12 saves in 15 attempts. Giovanny Gallegos is the favorite to vulture saves this weekend while Helsley is away from the team.

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley put together a masterful performance against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. The right-hander struck out three batters over two innings of work in the victory. He earned his 12th save of the season and is showing no signs of slowing down. Helsley now holds an incredible 0.76 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts across 47 2/3 innings this season. Fantasy managers should continue to believe in him down the stretch of the season.

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley saved his 10th game of the year Friday night, shutting down the New York Yankees to secure a 4-3 victory. He allowed no hits and one walk and did not strike out a batter. Helsley is having a charmed season, recording a 0.61 ERA and 0.63 WHIP with 66 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings. He has allowed an earned run in only two of his 36 appearances all year. Fantasy managers who picked him up off the waiver wire early this season have been handsomely rewarded.

St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley was the arm that manager Oliver Marmol turned to Friday to close out the 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. He entered the game with one out in the ninth and pitched a clean 0.2 innings with a strikeout. Helsley has yet to allow an earned run and has posted a 0.31 WHIP with 27 strikeouts over 16.1 innings of work. It was also his third save of the year, all coming this month. It's hard to tell who the preferred ninth-inning man is, as Giovanny Gallegos has eight saves but was likely available Friday after just 11 pitches the night before. Fantasy managers should monitor the situation moving forward.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley struck out a batter over a perfect inning to earn the save during Saturday's 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cardinal's primary closer Giovanny Gallegos was unavailable, and St. Louis turned to Helsley for Saturday's save opportunity. The 27-year-old entered the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead and retired the side to earn his second save of the year. He has been lights out this season, posting a 0.27 WHIP and a 25:2 K: BB across 14 2/3 scoreless innings. Helsley should be rostered in all league formats as he continues to produce for fantasy managers while being in a high-leverage role for the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said on Thursday that relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (elbow, knee) will make his first in-game appearance this spring on Friday. Helsley had a stress reaction in his right elbow last year and also dealt with a left knee injury that required offseason surgery. The hard-throwing right-hander is working his way back, though, and could be on track to open the season in St. Louis' bullpen. If he's available, he'll work in a setup or middle-relief role, limiting his fantasy appeal. However, with the injury to Alex Reyes, there's more of an opportunity for him to work in a high-leverage role later in games. The 27-year-old had one save, a 4.56 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 47 K's in 47 1/3 relief innings last year.

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (elbow, knee), who finished last year on the injured list with a stress reaction in his right elbow, posted a video on Instagram on Friday of him throwing off a mound against hitters while touching 97 mph on the radar gun. Helsley also had season-ending surgery on his left knee last year. The 27-year-old right-hander should be ready to go whenever the regular season starts, barring any setbacks in his recovery from multiple injuries. In 51 relief outings last year, Helsley had a 4.56 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 47 strikeouts and 27 walks in 47 1/3 innings. If healthy, he won't have much fantasy appeal as a middle reliever for the Cards ahead of late-inning arms like Giovanny Gallegos, Alex Reyes and Genesis Cabrera.

NEW YORK (AP) — Joey Votto homered for the seventh straight game, one shy of a major league record, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 6-2 on Friday night. Jonathan India went deep twice for the Reds, including a leadoff shot that came on Carlos Carrasco’s first pitch with the Mets. Acquired from Cleveland in January, the veteran right-hander finally made his New York debut after recovering from a hamstring injury. It was an up-and-down day for the Mets, who made a big deal to get Javier Báez from the Chicago Cubs before baseball’s trade deadline — and then revealed injured ace Jacob deGrom will be shut down for two more weeks because of inflammation in his pitching elbow, making it unlikely he’ll rejoin the NL East leaders before September. Báez was acquired from the Cubs along with right-hander Trevor Williams for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets’ first-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft. Báez is expected to join the Mets on Saturday and will play shortstop... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Joey Votto homered for the seventh straight game, one shy of a major league record, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 6-2 on Friday night. Jonathan India went deep twice for the Reds, including a leadoff shot that came on Carlos Carrasco’s first pitch with the Mets. Acquired from Cleveland in January, the veteran right-hander finally made his New York debut after recovering from a hamstring injury. It was an up-and-down day for the Mets, who made a big deal to get Javier Báez from the Chicago Cubs before baseball’s trade deadline — and then revealed injured ace Jacob deGrom will be shut down for two more weeks because of inflammation in his pitching elbow, making it unlikely he’ll rejoin the NL East leaders before September. Báez was acquired from the Cubs along with right-hander Trevor Williams for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets’ first-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft. Báez is expected to join the Mets on Saturday and will play shortstop... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Joey Votto homered for the seventh straight game, one shy of a major league record, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 6-2 on Friday night. Jonathan India went deep twice for the Reds, including a leadoff shot that came on Carlos Carrasco’s first pitch with the Mets. Acquired from Cleveland in January, the veteran right-hander finally made his New York debut after recovering from a hamstring injury. It was an up-and-down day for the Mets, who made a big deal to get Javier Báez from the Chicago Cubs before baseball’s trade deadline — and then revealed injured ace Jacob deGrom will be shut down for two more weeks because of inflammation in his pitching elbow, making it unlikely he’ll rejoin the NL East leaders before September. Báez was acquired from the Cubs along with right-hander Trevor Williams for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets’ first-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft. Báez is expected to join the Mets on Saturday and will play shortstop... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Joey Votto homered for the seventh straight game, one shy of a major league record, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 6-2 on Friday night. Jonathan India went deep twice for the Reds, including a leadoff shot that came on Carlos Carrasco’s first pitch with the Mets. Acquired from Cleveland in January, the veteran right-hander finally made his New York debut after recovering from a hamstring injury. It was an up-and-down day for the Mets, who made a big deal to get Javier Báez from the Chicago Cubs before baseball’s trade deadline — and then revealed injured ace Jacob deGrom will be shut down for two more weeks because of inflammation in his pitching elbow, making it unlikely he’ll rejoin the NL East leaders before September. Báez was acquired from the Cubs along with right-hander Trevor Williams for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets’ first-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft. Báez is expected to join the Mets on Saturday and will play shortstop... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Joey Votto homered for the seventh straight game, one shy of a major league record, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 6-2 on Friday night. Jonathan India went deep twice for the Reds, including a leadoff shot that came on Carlos Carrasco’s first pitch with the Mets. Acquired from Cleveland in January, the veteran right-hander finally made his New York debut after recovering from a hamstring injury. It was an up-and-down day for the Mets, who made a big deal to get Javier Báez from the Chicago Cubs before baseball’s trade deadline — and then revealed injured ace Jacob deGrom will be shut down for two more weeks because of inflammation in his pitching elbow, making it unlikely he’ll rejoin the NL East leaders before September. Báez was acquired from the Cubs along with right-hander Trevor Williams for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets’ first-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft. Báez is expected to join the Mets on Saturday and will play shortstop... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Joey Votto homered for the seventh straight game, one shy of a major league record, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 6-2 on Friday night. Jonathan India went deep twice for the Reds, including a leadoff shot that came on Carlos Carrasco’s first pitch with the Mets. Acquired from Cleveland in January, the veteran right-hander finally made his New York debut after recovering from a hamstring injury. It was an up-and-down day for the Mets, who made a big deal to get Javier Báez from the Chicago Cubs before baseball’s trade deadline — and then revealed injured ace Jacob deGrom will be shut down for two more weeks because of inflammation in his pitching elbow, making it unlikely he’ll rejoin the NL East leaders before September. Báez was acquired from the Cubs along with right-hander Trevor Williams for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets’ first-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft. Báez is expected to join the Mets on Saturday and will play shortstop... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Held hitless into the eighth inning by Domingo Germán and looking feeble, Alex Verdugo and the Boston Red Sox suddenly erupted for five runs and stormed past the New York Yankees 5-4 Sunday. Verdugo opened the eighth with a long double for Boston’s first hit. Later, Kiké Hernández slid home headfirst on Xander Bogaerts’ sacrifice fly with the go-ahead run to cap the rally. The Red Sox won for the 10th time in 13 games against the Yankees and reclaimed first place in the AL East, a game ahead of Tampa Bay. New York fell nine games behind Boston. Boston trailed 4-0 when Verdugo doubled to deep right, and Germán was lifted after the hit. Jonathan Loaisiga (7-4) relieved, and Boston broke loose with four straight hits. Hunter Renfroe had an RBI double, Christian Vázquez singled home a run and Hernández followed with an RBI double, cutting it to 4-3. Zack Britton relieved and pinch-hitter Kevin Plawecki’s groundout plated the tying run. Hernández hustled hard and beat right fielder... [More]