Jordan

Wicks

Wicks earns a ticket back to the minors after allowing 11 runs on 13 hits across 6 1/3 innings during a pair of starts for the Cubs since bring brought up on May 24. The 26-year-old southpaw makes much more sense in a multi-inning relief role than a traditional starter.

The Cubs have Monday off, so they were aggressive in going to the bullpen tonight. Wicks gave up three straight singles to start the game in a two-run first. He followed with a perfect second, but as soon as he allowed an infield single to JJ Wetherholt to begin the third, he was lifted. Wicks has a 15.63 ERA in his two starts, and it’s unclear if he’ll stick around after this. Edward Cabrera will be eligible to come off the IL on Friday and could be ready to step into the rotation in Wicks’ place.

Not great. Wicks coughed up nine hits, including a homer to rookie Esmerlyn Valdez as part of a five-run opening frame. He managed to save Chicago’s bullpen by working into the fifth inning where the Pirates got to him for three additional runs. It seems highly unlikely he’ll receive another turn in the Cubs’ rotation, but he’s in line to take the ball against the Cardinals on Sunday.

With Edward Cabrera (blister) landing on the injured list on Sunday, Wicks will have another opportunity to pitch for the big league club. If he’s not utilized out of the bullpen before then, it’s possible that he could step in and work in place of Cabrera on Tuesday against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

Wicks has been on the injured list with elbow inflammation since the start of the season. The 26-year-old could be an option for the Cubs at some point, but the former first-round selection will continue to operate in Iowa for the foreseeable future.

Wicks could be ready to return to Chicago’s bullpen mix by mid-April after progressing to throwing bullpen sessions last week. He made eight relief appearances last year for the Cubs, finishing with an underwhelming 6.28 ERA — 3.98 xERA — and 13/1 K/BB ratio across 14 1/3 innings.

The 26-year-old hurler had his throwing program paused in late February due to inflammation in his forearm. While it’s encouraging that there are no concerns with his UCL, he is dealing with a nerve issue and those can be notoriously tricky. There’s no timeline as of yet on when he’ll resume throwing.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that an MRI showed “no UCL concerns,” but forearm inflammation is never a great sign. The Cubs are hopeful that Wick’s return timeline is “days down, not weeks,” but it’s unclear right now. The 26-year-old was battling to be the Cubs’ sixth starter with Justin Steele (elbow) out to begin the season.

Wicks scattered just three hits on the day while punching out four batters. He got eight whiffs in just 41 pitches on the afternoon — four of them on his changeup — while registering an elite CSW of 39 percent. The 26-year-old southpaw finishes the regular season with a 6.28 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and a 13/1 K/BB ratio over 14 1/3 innings in eight appearances. It remains to be seen if he’ll find his way onto the Cubs’ postseason roster.

Wicks returns to the majors for the final weekend of the regular season with Cubs rookie standout Cade Horton heading to the injured list with a fractured rib. The 26-year-old southpaw has posted a lackluster 7.94 ERA across 11 1/3 innings over seven appearances this season at the highest level. He’ll operate in low-leverage situations if he winds up making Chicago’s playoff roster.