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Minutes after his club dropped their series finale vs. the Marlins and hours after closer Ryan Helsley was traded to the Mets, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol described what the deal to move the two-time All-Star reliever could mean for how his club could handle the late innings of games.

Within his description fit a key word fits for what lies ahead.

鈥淲e鈥檒l mix and match, but the word that definitely comes to mind is 鈥榦pportunity,鈥欌�� Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said.

How he deployed his relievers Wednesday in a 2-0 loss against Miami provided a glimpse of who could get that 鈥渙pportunity.鈥�

Once Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas was lifted from his start after six innings and two runs allowed on a two-run homer in the third inning to Jesus Sanchez, who was also traded ahead of the deadline Thursday afternoon, the Cardinals received 1 1/3 scoreless innings by Riley O鈥橞rien, another 1 1/3 scoreless innings from JoJo Romero and 1/3 of a scoreless inning from Kyle Leahy in a 2-0 loss to Miami that marked a second consecutive shutout loss.

The trio of relievers kept the Cardinals from needing to dig into a bullpen that was without Helsley and one that had left-hander Steven Matz subtracted from its makeup as he was dealt to the Red Sox.

鈥淩iley鈥檚 done a nice job of running with opportunities that we鈥檝e been giving him. JoJo, he鈥檚 done it in the past as well,鈥� Marmol said.

As sellers at this year鈥檚 trade deadline, the Cardinals (55-55) turned Helsley and Matz, who are both on expiring contracts, into prospects to deepen their farm system. The bullpen could continue to take shape ahead of Thursday鈥檚 deadline with veteran Phil Maton as a candidate to be moved before 5 p.m. Thursday.

鈥淔or the time being, Phil (Maton) is here. ... We鈥檒l continue to mix and match until it looks different,鈥� Marmol said.

O鈥橞rien, the first of the rising Cardinals arms to get a look on Wednesday, continued what has been a strong showing in the majors that has come with consistent health.

O鈥橞rien, 30, has posted a 1.67 ERA in 22 games. He鈥檚 notched 29 strikeouts in 27 innings and has collected 12 of those in his previous 8 1/3 innings. The 1 1/3 scoreless innings vs. Miami on Thursday extended his stretch of scoreless innings to 8 1/3 over his previous eight outings.

On Thursday, the righty flashed what has provided some intrigue when he is healthy. He threw a sinker that reached 99.8 mph and a slider that touched 91.3 mph and got two whiffs on the three swings Marlins hitters took against it.

鈥淪o far, I鈥檝e felt relatively healthy throughout the year, and I think I鈥檝e just been consistent,鈥� said O鈥橞rien, who made the 2024 opening day roster but was held to eight innings because of a right forearm flexor strain. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the biggest thing. Last year was lots of ups and downs. I think I flashed some success, but this year, I feel like I鈥檓 really kind of putting it together, and so far, I鈥檝e been having success and I鈥檓 just trying to keep stacking good outings.鈥�

With Helsley traded and an 鈥渙pportunity鈥� to pitch late innings possible, O鈥橞rien said he鈥檚 hoping to carry his approach that has helped him to success this year into late innings spots if his name is called.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 obviously the biggest goal being out of the bullpen is to be closing out games and throwing in big situations,鈥� O鈥橞rien said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 obviously a spot open. I鈥檓 trying not to think about it too much. Just try to go out there when my name is called and throw the ball well. I鈥檒l be ready for it, but we鈥檒l see what happens next in the next few days.鈥�

Two seasons ago, Romero got his first consistent run as a regular late-inning option for the Cardinals while Helsley was on the injured list for a right forearm strain. Romero, who bounced between the majors and Class AAA through the first three months of the 2023 season, ended that season with a 3.68 ERA in 36 2/3 innings and notched the first three saves of his career.

Romero鈥檚 run as a late-inning reliever that year began following a call-up in early July. The stretch included a 3.72 ERA, a strikeout rate just below 31% and two successful save conversions in three opportunities.

This year, the lefty has posted a 2.04 ERA in 41 appearances and notched 16 holds. After beginning the year with a 7.27 ERA through his first 11 appearances, he鈥檚 posted a 0.34 ERA and struck out 30 batters in his previous 30 outings, including Thursday鈥檚, creating momentum for him as he figures to be a key arm the Cardinals could rely on through the final two months of the regular season.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a great opportunity for everyone in this clubhouse that鈥檚 in that bullpen,鈥� Romero said of the innings that open up after Helsley鈥檚 departure. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got some arms and everyone that鈥檚 come up here between (Andre) Granillo, (Gordon) Graceffo, (Matt) Svanson, Leahy, and Riley.

鈥淓veryone鈥檚 been able to get the opportunity in the back end of the game. Now that there鈥檚 that you know opportunity later in the game, whether that鈥檚 seven, eight, nine, whatever it is, these young guys being able to get that opportunity, to get that experience under their belt, whether it鈥檚 close game, not close game, whatever the situation is, it鈥檚 going to be good for all of us and good for staff as a whole.鈥�