Jordan

Wicks

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.

Wicks heads to Arizona as part of Chicago’s stay-ready group in case he’s needed during the postseason as emergency left-handed relief depth. The 26-year-old lefty has compiled an inflated 7.94 ERA across 11 1/3 innings over seven appearances this season at the highest level.

Wicks supplies the Cubs with some additional long relief depth for Saturday’s showdown agains the Reds. The 26-year-old lefty has been hit hard in six relief appearances this season at the big-league level, registering a lackluster 8.71 ERA across 10 1/3 innings of work.

Wicks made a pair of relief appearances for the Cubs after being brought back up to the big leagues last weekend. He’s been shipped out to allow the club to bring back former high-leverage specialist Porter Hodge.

It’s unclear if this will be a straight swap with Wicks replacing Javier Assad in the Cubs’ rotation, or if he’s just up to add length to the Cubs’ bullpen for a few days. Wicks has registered a 9.72 ERA, 2.40 WHIP and an 8/1 K/BB ratio over 8 1/3 innings.

Wicks provides the Cubs with some additional length out of the bullpen for the second contest of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Brewers with Jameson Taillon making his first start back from the injured list. He’ll head back to Triple-A Iowa at the conclusion of the night.