LATEST NEWS

July 20: RHP Kyle Leahy added as 27th player for Game 2 of doubleheader
Leahy, 27, was recalled on Saturday from Triple-A Memphis for Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Braves. He was also the 27th player for last weekend's doubleheader vs. the Cubs.

In 18 games with the Cardinals this season, Leahy has gone 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA. In 30 1/3 innings, he’s struck out 20 compared to seven walks.

July 20: RHP Ryan Helsley (hip tightness) available to pitch in doubleheader
Helsley, MLB’s saves leader and a two-time MLB All-Star selection, wasn’t available to pitch in Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic because of hip tightness that has bothered him “over the last several weeks,” manager Oliver Marmol said on Saturday. Helsley traveled to Texas for the MLB All-Star Game, but he did not pitch because of the lingering hip issue. Prior to the split doubleheader against the Braves, Marmol said that Helsley is available to pitch on Saturday.

Helsley, who set Cardinals records with 31 straight saves and 32 saves before the MLB All-Star break, alerted the team to the hip pain he was experiencing prior to heading to Texas. Together, they decided it was best for him to not pitch in the All-Star Game.

“He came in and said, ‘Hey, based on how it feels, it probably makes sense to take the break and actually honor the break,'” Marmol said. “We talked through it and we agreed with him. We called over [to the league office] and said that it made sense to not have him throw in the game.”

He is 3-3 with a 2.36 ERA and 32 saves in 34 opportunities in 41 appearances so far this season. The 32 saves are already a season high for the 30-year-old closer. He joined Hall of Famers Bruce Sutter and Lee Smith as the only closers in Cardinals history with multiple All-Star Game selections.

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP Tink Hence (cramping; No. 1 on Cardinals' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: July
Hence, MLB Pipeline’s No. 48 prospect and the top-ranked player in the Cardinals system, left his June 5 start after two innings because of cramping, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. He struck out three and threw 20 of his 35 pitches for strikes. Hence, 21, was scheduled to return to action the weekend of June 22, but that was delayed by a day or two after he was invited to visit Rickwood Field with other Cardinals prospects for the Negro Leagues tribute game. For the season, Hence is 4-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings pitched. (Last updated: June 20)

60-DAY INJURED LIST

CF/SS Tommy Edman (right wrist surgery, sprained ankle)
Expected return: Early August
Edman, who has yet to play for the Cardinals this season after having surgery on his right wrist in October, suffered another setback in his comeback attempt this week when his injured right ankle required a pain-killing injection. Edman will be out until July 23, when he is expected to return to Minor League game action as part of his rehab program, manager Oliver Marmol said.

Edman played four games with Double-A Springfield prior to the break, going 4-for-14 with two walks and four RBIs. He started experiencing pain in the ankle over the break and received the pain-killing injection, Marmol said, adding that when Edman returns, he will split time in the infield and outfield.

Edman was shut down several times during Spring Training because of lingering pain in his surgically repaired right wrist. Then, he sprained his right ankle on June 25 when he stepped awkwardly on second base during infield drills. (Last updated: July 19)

RHP Riley O'Brien (right forearm flexor strain)
Expected return: Early August
O’Brien is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Friday, manager Oliver Marmol said. O’Brien experienced pain in the flexor tendon in his right forearm after pitching one inning against the Dodgers on Opening Day and his return has stalled because of recurring pain. He made the Opening Day roster following a stellar Spring Training, but he experienced pain following an outing that included a strikeout of superstar Shohei Ohtani. O’Brien, who has also pitched at the big league level with the Reds and Mariners, has thrown three live bullpen sessions at Double-A Springfield in recent weeks to prepare for his return to game action. (Last updated: July 19)

LHP Steven Matz (lower back strain)
Expected return: Mid-August
Matz, who has been on the IL since May 3, retroactive to May 1, is scheduled to throw a second bullpen session on July 20 at Busch Stadium, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. He has been dealing with lingering back pain and has been previously shut down to receive pain-killing injections. Matz was 1-2 with a 6.18 ERA in six starts with the Cardinals prior to going on the injured list. He made three Minor League rehab starts -- one with Triple-A Memphis and two with Double-A Springfield -- before his back pain reappeared.(Last updated: July 19)

RHP Keynan Middleton (right forearm flexor surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Middleton will undergo season-ending right flexor repair surgery, manager Oliver Marmol said on June 4.

“In order for him to have any shot of being ready for 2025, it’s the best option, so his season will be over,” Marmol said.

After spending several weeks rehabilitating and strengthening his forearm, Middleton recently made five appearances and compiled a 2.25 ERA for Double-A Springfield. However, pain returned in the forearm following relief appearances on May 22-23. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 22. (Last updated: June 22)

LHP Drew Rom (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: September
Rom, who was acquired last July in a trade with the Orioles, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder that might allow him to return later this season, manager Oliver Marmol said. Marmol dubbed the procedure as “a best-case scenario,” and is hopeful Rom can return in the fall.

Rom, 24, made three starts in Spring Training before being put on the injured list with shoulder trouble. He was later moved to the 60-day IL.

After being acquired in the trade centered around Jack Flaherty, Rom made his MLB debut in 2023 with the Cardinals. In eight starts, Rom was 1-4 with an 8.06 ERA. His first MLB win was over the Orioles in Baltimore. (Last updated: May 9)

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