Cardinals Place High-Leverage Hurler On Injured List, Call Up Young Reliever

Unknown absence of key St. Louis bullpen reliever attributed to forearm injury

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oli Marmol made some questionable decisions this past weekend while deploying his bullpen.

The struggling Red Birds rotation deployed many different relievers during the back-to-back losses over the weekend. However, one asset did not step on the mound, and it has finally been revealed why.

High-leverage hurler Ryan Helsley hasn't pitched in a game since June 7, leaving many to wonder where he's been. 

"The Cardinals announced Monday that they’ve placed right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley on the 15-day injured list due to a strained right forearm," MLB Trade Rumors' Steve Adams wrote Monday. The move has been made retroactive to June 10.

In light of this news, right-hander Jake Woodford has been called up from the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. Woodford began the season as a starter but transitioned to the bullpen after a rocky start to the season.

This season, Helsley has posted a 3-4 record with a 3.24 ERA, 33-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .205 batting average against, and 1.16 WHIP in 25 innings pitched.

As of now, there is no clear prognosis or recovery window for Helsley.

Helsley's absence on the mound will surely be felt by an already struggling Cardinals bullpen. It is likely that we see Giovanny Gallegos relied on more in high-leverage spots while others are rotated to make up for the key missing link.

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