Helsley's MRI on his right middle finger came back clean Saturday, but he'll nevertheless be unavailable for Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Phillies, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley initially suffered the injury while fielding a groundball in his final appearance of the regular season. He didn't look like himself in Game 1 against the Phillies on Friday, losing the plate and throwing less than half of his 33 pitches for strikes while allowing four earned runs before his exit. While he's seemingly escaped a serious injury, that kind of workload will still keep him from pitching again for at least one day.

Helsley will undergo an MRI on the middle finger of his right hand after he exited the Cardinals' loss in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old jammed his finger Tuesday in his final appearance of the regular season and aggravated the injury Friday after he struggled with his command in the playoff opener. Helsley threw only 15 of his 33 pitches for strikes, and he was charged with the loss after he gave up four runs on a hit and two walks over one inning. The right-hander reported a lack of feeling in his fingers before he was removed from the contest, and the MRI will hopefully shed some light on the specifics of his injury.

Helsley was removed from Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Friday after he apparently aggravated his jammed right middle finger, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander suffered the injury during the penultimate game of the regular season Tuesday and was cleared after throwing a bullpen session Thursday, but he struggled with his command in Game 1 before being lifted. Helsley retired the first two batters he faced to end the eighth inning and keep the Cardinals ahead 2-0, but he came back out for the ninth and exited after he let in a run via a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded. He ended up being charged with four earned runs as the bullpen behind him also struggled, and his availability going forward is now up in the air.

Helsley (finger) didn't feel any pain during a side session Thursday and will be included on the Cardinals' wild-card roster, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley exited Tuesday's game against the Pirates due to a jammed right middle finger, but the issue won't impact his availability to begin the postseason. Over the last month, the right-hander has converted all seven of his save chances while posting a 2.38 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 11.1 innings over 11 appearances.

Helsley (finger) is throwing a bullpen session Thursday to help determine his availability for the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander exited Tuesday's game against the Pirates with a jammed middle finger, and his availability for the wild-card round remains up in the air. The issue doesn't appear to be a serious concern since Helsley never underwent medical imaging, and the closer could be available for Game 1 on Friday if all goes well during Thursday's session.

Helsley was removed from Tuesday's game against the Pirates as a precaution with a jammed right middle finger, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley suffered the injury when he fielded a batted ball from the only hitter he faced, and he then left the field with training staff. The fact the right-hander's exit has been labeled a precaution is an encouraging sign, and it doesn't appear he'll undergo medical imaging, according to John Denton of MLB.com. It's clear Helsley won't pitch in Wednesday's regular-season finale, and he should be considered day-to-day for Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series on Friday.

Helsley was removed from Tuesday's game against the Pirates with an apparent right hand injury, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley retired the lone batter he faced after he entered for the eighth inning Tuesday, but he may have tweaked something while he fielded the ball. The specifics of the issue remain unclear, but the Cardinals could be illustrating caution with their playoff positioning already secured.

Helsley issued one walk, struck out one and did not give up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in a 2-1 victory over the Pirates on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley closed out the one-run game thanks in part to some excellent defense behind him. With a runner on first and two out, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt made an incredible running catch on a pop up by Miguel Andujar in foul territory that saw him crash into the netting. Helsley has a superb 1.26 ERA this season and could reach the 20-save mark for the first time in his career depending on how the Cardinals decide to manage his rest in the final week of the regular season.

Helsley struck out the side on nine pitches to earn the save in Friday's 6-5 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

It was the third immaculate inning recorded in Cardinals history, and it was enough to secure a win after St. Louis trailed three times in the contest. Helsley has converted six straight save chances despite allowing two runs over six innings in that span. The hard-throwing righty owns a 1.21 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 87:17 K:BB through 59.1 innings while racking up 18 saves in 22 attempts, six holds and a 9-1 record.

Helsley earned a save against the Brewers on Wednesday, striking out two batters and allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley entered for the ninth inning with St. Louis up by three runs and worked around a two-out single to record a scoreless frame. He notched his fifth save in five chances so far in September, though he's given up two runs in five frames over that stretch. Helsley has emerged as the Cardinals' clear No. 1 closer this month -- former co-closer Giovanny Gallegos hasn't picked up a save since Aug. 28.