Helsley fired three scoreless innings in a loss to the Dodgers on Monday, allowing a hit and four walks while recording two strikeouts.
Helsley was just recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday for yet another big-league stint, and manager Mike Shildt put him right to work in order to preserve some of his other bullpen arms. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Helsley hasn't been ruled out by Shildt as a possible opener candidate if the Cardinals occasionally deploy a "bullpen day" strategy down the stretch. The right-hander had been serving as a starter with the Redbirds to prep for a multi-inning role in the majors akin to the one he filled Monday.