Heading into a new series against the Athletics on Monday. The St. Louis Cardinals are still on the outside looking in on the postseason.
With a 68-70 record, St. Louis is still fighting for a spot in the NL Wild Card, as the chances of catching the Milwaukee Brewers (who have a 17-game lead on the Cardinals in the NL Central) are slim.
With this being said, the team’s pursuit will be without one of their most reliable bullpen pitchers for the foreseeable future after finding more answers on his injured throwing shoulder.
Cardinals shut down relief pitcher Riley O’Brien ‘for the time being’
After discovering shoulder fatigue in his throwing arm, Riley O’Brien underwent further tests on Monday. MLB.com‘s John Denton revealed that he won’t be back on the mound until further notice.
“RHP Riley O’Brien underwent an MRI on his sore right shoulder this morning and is shut down for the time being until a course of action is set. This has been a breakout season for O’Brien, who has been counted on in high-leverage spots and in closing roles,” Denton wrote to X on Monday.
It’s yet another tough break for the Cardinals, as O’Brien has put together his best season of his four-year major league career.
Although he’s battled multiple injuries in both this season and last, the 30-year-old has appeared in 31 games for St. Louis this season, compiling stats that include a 2-0 record, 1.69 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP while striking out 35 and allowing 17 walks in 37.1 innings.
It’s unclear if O’Brien will pitch again this season for the Cardinals, and questions about his return will linger until St. Louis can turn its season around and push past the playoff hump with only a month left in the regular season.
