The Cardinals’ Patience Pays Off: Reliever Riley O’Brien Makes Impact in Weekend Wins
The Cardinals’ decision to avoid placing reliever Riley O’Brien on the injured list has proven to be a wise one, as he played a crucial role in two victories over the weekend. Despite dealing with discomfort in his right shoulder earlier in the week, O’Brien was determined to avoid missing the mandatory 15 days on the IL. With the weekend series against the San Francisco Giants as the ultimate test, both O’Brien and the Cardinals were hopeful that extended rest would allow him to contribute. And their patience paid off, as O’Brien’s presence in the ninth inning helped secure a win on Saturday and a save on Sunday. It’s clear that the Cardinals made the right call in giving O’Brien the time he needed to recover, and now they have their answer: he’s ready to make an impact on the field. iveness.”
The Cardinals’ Patience Pays Off: Reliever Riley O’Brien Makes Impact in Weekend Wins
After dealing with discomfort in his right shoulder, reliever Riley O’Brien was unavailable for back-to-back series earlier in the week. However, the Cardinals’ decision to give him extended rest paid off as he was able to contribute in the ninth inning of two wins against the San Francisco Giants this past weekend.
The Test of Rest
The weekend series against the Giants was a test to see if O’Brien’s soreness would subside and if he would be able to make a comeback without being placed on the mandatory 15-day injured list. And with a win on Saturday and a save on Sunday, it’s safe to say that the Cardinals have their answer.
On the eve of heading back to his hometown of Seattle, O’Brien pitched a scoreless ninth on Sunday to secure a 4-3 victory and series win against the Giants. He allowed a hit and then ended the game with a double play ground out on a 96 mph sinker, throwing two sinkers at 97 mph in the same at-bat. This was O’Brien’s third save of the season, coming less than 24 hours after he pitched a perfect ninth in the Cardinals’ walk-off win.
Strong Comeback
After missing more than a week, O’Brien showed his strength and resilience by pitching in back-to-back games and resuming his role as a late-inning option for the Cardinals. Manager Oli Marmol expressed his satisfaction with O’Brien’s performance, stating that he has taken on a more significant role and has handled it well.
Staying Healthy is Key
Marmol also emphasized the importance of O’Brien staying healthy, especially with the recent loss of three key players due to the trade deadline. O’Brien’s ability to pitch through any discomfort and maintain his momentum is crucial for the team’s success.
Avoiding the Injured List
O’Brien had pitched in two games against the Pirates in the previous homestand, but his arm did not recover as well as he had hoped. After undergoing an MRI and being assured that there was nothing structurally wrong with his shoulder, O’Brien ramped up his pregame work and discussed with the team when he would be best available. Marmol expressed his hope that getting O’Brien six games away would be better than placing him on the injured list for 15 days.
Learning and Growing
The week off allowed O’Brien to explore what he could pitch through and better understand what it takes to be available for the team. By avoiding the injured list, he was able to maintain the momentum he has been building in his late-game appearances. Marmol praised O’Brien’s ability to stay focused and aggressive, regardless of any setbacks, and believes that this has been the biggest difference for him this season.
