Joe Kelly has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and is headed back to St. Louis for further tests. Kelly suffered the injury Wednesday while trying to beat out a groundball to first base. He is likely to be placed on the 15-day disabled list, and the Cardinals will now have to dip into some of their starting pitching depth. Carlos Martinez could be an option, but Tyler Lyons started for Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday and is probably the more logical short-term fill-in candidate because Martinez has been making appearances in a major league setup role.

Joe Kelly left Wednesday's game against the Brewers with a left hamstring injury. Kelly was trying to beat out a bunt and grabbed at the hamstring after running through the bag. He had to be helped down the dugout steps, so the odds of him needing a disabled list stint are probably pretty good. Carlos Martinez would be the obvious choice to replace Kelly in the rotation, though it's possible the Cards will elect to leave him in the bullpen and promote someone like Tyler Lyons.

Joe Kelly allowed an unearned run over six-plus innings against the Cubs on Friday. The only run scored in the seventh inning after a Kolten Wong fielding error opened the door for Ryan Sweeney to deliver an RBI single. Kelly struck out three and walked none in the no-decision. He has allowed just two runs (one earned) over 11 1/3 innings so far this season, so he's doing just fine as the team's fifth starter. However, he'll need to miss more bats to be attractive in mixed fantasy leagues.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny announced Sunday that Joe Kelly will be the team's fifth starter to begin the season. The 25-year-old struggled in Grapefruit League play, compiling a 6.28 ERA, but still managed to secure the rotation spot. He should provide solid ratios, but his limited upside in strikeouts makes him nothing more than a late round flyer in mixed leagues.

Joe Kelly yielded two runs and two hits in five-plus innings Sunday in a victory over the Astros. Kelly walked four, but he struck out five and improved to 2-1 with a 6.28 ERA for the spring. Even though he's been outpitched by Carlos Martinez, he still looks like the favorite to be named the Cardinals' fifth starter.

Joe Kelly allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings and went 3-for-3 with two RBI at the plate as the Cardinals topped the Braves 6-2 on Saturday. Kelly was coming off a bad start against the Nationals, but he had it all working today. He ended up allowing four hits, walking none and striking out three. Though Carlos Martinez has been the more impressive of the two, Kelly looks like the favorite to begin the season as the Cardinals' fifth starter.

Joe Kelly surrendered two runs in 1 2/3 innings Monday against the Tigers. With Jaime Garcia out, Kelly, Carlos Martinez and Tyler Lyons are competing for a spot in the St. Louis rotation. Yes, the Cardinals are certainly quite well off when they can have a guy who went 9-2 with a 1.91 ERA after the All-Star break last year compete for a spot.

Joe Kelly allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings, taking a no-decision in the Cardinals' win over the Red Sox in Saturday's Game 3. Kelly was his usual self -- stingy yet inefficient. He gave up just two hits but walked three, his last walk becoming the second run allowed after his exit. One of those two hits was a leadoff triple to Xander Bogaerts in the fifth inning which led to the other run. Kelly also struck out six and was routinely in the upper 90s with his fastball. He's in line to start a potential Game 7; otherwise, it was likely Kelly's last appearance this postseason.

Joe Kelly will start Game 3 of the World Series against the Red Sox on Saturday.

Joe Kelly allowed four runs on seven hits, including two home runs, over five innings in a loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday. After holding the Dodgers to two runs over six innings in Game 1 of the series, Kelly was less effective on Wednesday. A two-run second inning and solo home runs from Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford accounted for the Dodgers' runs as Kelly posted just two clean frames. His seven hits allowed were the most of his three postseason starts this year. It will be his last of this series as the teams head back to St. Louis for Friday's Game 6.