Mets RHPRyan Helsley allowed three runs on as many hits while pitching the ninth inning of Friday's 12-7 win at the Atlanta Braves, continuing his struggles since the St. Louis Cardinals traded him to New York.
After Helsley's latest appearance, in which he threw 16 strikes on 24 pitches with no strikeouts and one walk, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was asked about his concern level.
"I mean, I'm not going to say that I'm concerned," Mendoza said. "But we've got to help him, because he's not getting swings and misses. He's not getting chases. So, we've got to go back and see how can we continue to help him — because he's elite, he's elite. Another tough inning there where the hitters are just basically taking the breaking balls, they're right on the fastball, so our job is to help him."
Helsley has allowed 12 runs (eight earned) on 12 hits (one homer) while striking out nine and walking five in 7.1 IP over nine games this month.
The Mets acquired the 31-year-old in a July 30 trade that sent infield prospect Jesus Baez and two pitching prospects, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt, to the Cardinals.
In 36 games with St. Louis this season, Helsley had 21 saves (26 opportunities). He allowed 12 runs on 36 hits in 36 innings while striking out 41 and walking 14.
Carlos Mendoza was asked about the concern level on Ryan Helsley:
"I'm not going to say I'm concerned, but we've got to help him" pic.twitter.com/xM5XPIFh29
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 23, 2025
