Wainwright Placed on Cardinals Injured List

photo: Adam Wainwright (USA TODAY Sports Images)

St. Louis Cardinals press release

Adam Wainwright (Steve Mitchell/Imagn)

The St. Louis Cardinals announced that RHP Adam Wainwright has been placed on the 10-day Injured List with a left hamstring strain effective today.  Right-handed pitcher Ryan Helsley has been recalled from Memphis (AAA).

Wainwright, 37, was removed from last night’s game in Chicago during the 5th inning after injuring his left hamstring while reaching base on a double in the top half of the 5th inning.

Ryan Helsley (Steve Mitchell/Imagn)

The Cardinals veteran pitcher has made 13 starts this season, tied for the most on the club, while ranking second on the team in innings pitched (70.1) and strikeouts (61).  During last night’ game, Wainwright became the sixth pitcher in Cardinals franchise history to surpass 2,000 innings pitched.

The move to the Injured List is Wainwright’s first since last May 14-September 9, 2018, when he missed 104 games with right elbow inflammation.  This marks Wainwright’s ninth term on the Injured List over his 14-year Major League career.

Merandy Gonzalez (Steve Mitchell/Imagn)

Helsley, 24, has made six relief appearances for the Cardinals this season posting no record and a 2.70 ERA while holding his opposition to a .121 batting average (4-33).  The rookie right-hander is coming off back-to-back scoreless appearances this past weekend in Chicago, before being optioned back to Memphis on Sunday with the recall of RHP Daniel Ponce de Leon.  Today will mark Helsley’s fourth recall of the season to St. Louis.

Right-handed pitcher Merandy González has cleared waivers and will be out-righted off the St. Louis Cardinals 40-man roster.  He remains in Springfield (AA) on the Cardinals double-A active roster.


Brian Walton’s take

It is unclear who will take Wainwright’s next turn in St. Louis’ rotation, scheduled on Friday in New York.

Helsley was eligible for recall so quickly after having been optioned out because he is replacing an injured player. In those cases, the 10-day maximum can be waived. The right-hander is The Cardinal Nation’s fifth-ranked prospect.


For more

To track the Cardinals’ 25- and 40-man rosters as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.


Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation

Dylan Carlson Continues to Make Waves at Double-A


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, our limited edition printed and bound Guides are $5 off, so get yours today!

Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com or for fastest turnaround, pose your questions on The Cardinal Nation’s members-only forum. Follow Brian on Twitter.

© 2019 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.