The St. Louis Cardinals have had it rough in 2023, and things are bound to get even rougher. On Monday, the team announced they had placed 2022 All-Star right-hander Ryan Helsley on the injured list. Helsley strained his forearm and will hit the IL, retroactively to June 10.
“RHP Ryan Helsley (forearm strain) has been placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to June 10,” the team said on Twitter.
RHP Jake Woodford has been recalled from Memphis (AAA).
RHP Ryan Helsley (forearm strain) has been placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to June 10. pic.twitter.com/CCRfE8aHKO
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 12, 2023
Helsley pitched a career year in 2022. The reliever recorded an ERA of just 1.25 across 64.2 innings pitched. He struck out 94 batters in those 64.2 innings pitched, good for a K/9 of a whopping 13.1. Helsley made it to the NL All-Star team in Los Angeles and received some NL Cy Young votes for his troubles.
This season hasn’t seen Helsley enjoy the same success. He, like the Cardinals, has struggled a bit, at least compared to last year. His ERA ballooned to 3.24 across his 25.0 innings of work thus far. His WHIP is at 1.160, which is up big from the 2022 mark he recorded of 0.742. The good thing is he’s still striking batters out, as he has 33 strikeouts through those 25 innings.
But, of course, now he hits the injured list to add to his and the Cards’ woes. St. Louis is 27-39 and is in last place in the NL Central Division. They are currently eight games back of first-place Pittsburgh.
