The Cardinals have activated right-hander Ryan Helsley from the 60-day injured list, the team announced this afternoon. In a corresponding move, utility player Brendan Donovan was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL.
Helsley had been out with a forearm strain since mid-June, and he was transferred to the 60-day IL in late July. The former All-Star will be eased back into the bullpen, and he is not expected to supplant JoJo Romero as the Cardinals’ closer – at least not yet. According to John Denton of MLB.com, Helsley could return on a “regimented plan,” meaning he would not be available on a daily basis. However, manager Oliver Marmol said that he will still get opportunities in “leverage” spots.
The 29-year-old reliever will be eligible for his second year of salary arbitration this winter, so he will look to make a good impression over the final month of the season. He’s making $2.15MM this year.
Donovan underwent season-ending arm surgery in August, so the Cardinals could have transferred him to the 60-day IL at any point over the past month. The transfer does not change his timeline for return. As Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reported last month, Donovan is expected to be ready ahead of spring training.
Prior to his injury, the 26-year-old was in the midst of an excellent sophomore season. In 95 games, he hit .284 with 11 home runs and a 119 wRC+, while splitting his time between all four infield positions, the outfield corners, and designated hitter.
I’m happy they are bringing Helsley back slowly. Forearm strain always makes you think of TJ surgery. He’s very valuable as a late inning arm.
Good luck to Donovan on his rehab. He’s another valuable player.
I too are happy that the Cards are taking it slow with Helsley, they too often overuse pitchers in my opinion which causes a lot of our injuries. We need Donovan healthy and no reason to rush anyone at his point. We own last place and its on MO’s and ownership shoulders for their unwillingness to improve the team last fall.
I’d like to be able to say that I’m surprised the Cardinals did not pick up Lucas Giolito off waivers , but that would have made sense, and we all I think are beginning to realize that Card management does not care about winning. The cardinals where interested in Giolito earlier in the year, what changed?
Why would that make sense at this point? He’s an FA after this season, and there’s literally no reason to spend anything extra to fill out the roster.
What changed? Earlier in the year the Cards had hopes for recovery after a woeful start to the season. Now? They are mired in last place.
That’s what changed.
Get an early look at him , on the cheap, that’s what the Cards are now.
Andy Rincon has passed. Look him up, he was decent for a couple of years.
The curator of the Cardinals Hall of Fame passed this past week. Information coming from the Cardinals radio broadcast.