Helsley (knee) said he's a "full go" for Sunday's game against the Tigers, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley didn't allow a run over two-thirds of an inning Friday versus Detroit but wasn't available for Saturday's contest due to some soreness around his surgically repaired left knee, though it's apparently not much of a concern. The 28-year-old righty has given up runs in just two of his 11 outings this season, though he's only 3-for-6 in save chances and has a somewhat bloated 3.75 ERA since he allowed five runs between those two contests.

Helsley was unavailable to pitch Saturday due to knee soreness, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley was noticeably absent from the mound in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Tigers. According to manager Oli Marmol, the right-hander is dealing with knee pain, which is not considered to be serious. The team is hopeful that Helsley will be able to go in Sunday's series finale with Detroit.

Helsley (0-2) was charged with a loss and a blown save Tuesday against the Giants after giving up three runs (zero earned) on two hits over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley was called upon in the ninth to protect a two-run lead and found himself in some quick trouble. Joc Pederson reached to kick things off on an error by Tommy Edman and Mike Yastrzemski followed with an RBI double. The right-hander retired the next two batters before Blake Sabol crushed a slider to center field to walk it off for the Giants. The 2022 All-Star is now 3-for-6 in save chances over the first month of the season and owns a 1.93 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 13:4 K:BB over 9.1 innings. Manager Oliver Marmol has not commented on the current closer situation for the Cardinals, but it could be assumed that Helsley's grip on the role is lessening, after Giovanny Gallegos has yet to give up a run over 8.1 innings so far this season.

Helsley allowed an inherited runner to score and surrendered two hits and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 innings Saturday versus the Pirates. He was charged with a blown save.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley entered with one on and two outs in the eighth inning, but gave up a game-tying RBI double to Rodolfo Castro. Through six appearances, Helsley is 3-for-5 in save chances with an 0-1 record and a 10:3 K:BB. It appears he's had some bad luck this season with a 1.57 WHIP across seven innings, but until some of the hits he's allowing turn into outs, he could be in danger of losing some save chances to Giovanny Gallegos.

Helsley picked up the save in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Rockies, striking out two over a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

After blowing his first save opportunity of the season, Helsley has been lights out. He hasn't allowed a run in four straight appearances (4.2 innings) and has at least two strikeouts in each of those games.

Helsley earned the save Tuesday in Colorado after he allowed two hits and no walks during a scoreless ninth inning. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley gave up singles to the first two batters he faced, but he rebounded to retire the next three hitters on just 10 pitches. The 28-year-old surrendered two runs and took a blown save in his season debut, but he's been unscored upon with two saves in his past three outings.

Helsley gave up two hits and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless innings Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

After blowing his first save chance of the year Thursday, Helsley was called upon to quell a Toronto rally in the top of the eighth, then stayed in the game and created a jam of his own in the ninth before escaping. The right-hander is coming off an outstanding 2022 in which he recorded 19 saves, and with Giovanny Gallegos (back) currently unavailable, Helsley doesn't have much competition for ninth-inning work even if he continues to run into trouble.

Helsley (0-1) blew the save and took the loss in Thursday's 10-9 loss against the Blue Jays. He allowed two runs on two hits and one walk without a strikeout in his one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Tasked with nailing down a 9-8 win, Helsley proceeded to walk the first batter he faced before surrendering back-to-back singles to blow the save. Vladimir Guerrero later gave the Blue Jays the lead with a sacrifice fly, sticking Helsley with the loss. Jordan Hicks had already blown a lead himself the prior inning while Giovanny Gallegos (back) did not appear in the game.

Helsley struck out all three batters he faced in a Grapefruit League appearance Wednesday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley did the same in his previous Grapefruit League outing Sunday versus the Nationals. The hard-throwing 28-year-old carries top-tier fantasy closer upside into the 2023 campaign after dominating to the tune of a 1.25 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 64.2 regular-season innings for the Cardinals in 2022. He jammed his right middle finger just before the playoffs and aggravated it in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Phillies, but there has been no apparent carryover this spring.

Helsley lost his arbitration case against the Cardinals and will make $2.15 million in 2023, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley had asked for a $3 million salary in his first turn through arbitration eligibility. The right-hander registered a dominant 1.25 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 19 saves over 64.2 regular-season innings in 2022 before his sudden collapse in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Phillies. He is expected to serve as the primary closer in St. Louis throughout the upcoming campaign.