Jordan

Wicks

Wicks will return to the rotation at Triple-A Iowa where he’ll remain stretched out as a starter rather than working sporadically out of the Cubs’ bullpen. The 26-year-old hurler has posted a 10.45 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and an 8/2 K/BB ratio over 10 1/3 innings with the Cubs this season. The Cubs will make a corresponding move prior to Friday’s series opener against the Cardinals.

Wicks did walk in a run to make it a 4-3 game, but that run was unearned because it was inherited from a wholly ineffective Ethan Roberts; who wasn’t able to convert the save chance and was charged for two runs without getting an out. Wicks was just recalled from Triple-A on Sunday, and while he does get his first save of 2026, it’s impossible to imagine many more chances for the 26-year-old for the rest of the summer.

Wicks has been knocked around in his two appearances with the Cubs this season, posting a miserable 15.63 ERA, 2.21 WHIP and a 6/1 K/BB ratio over 6 1/3 innings. Don’t be surprised to see him work multiple innings against the Brewers on Sunday in what’s set up to be a bullpen day for the Cubs.

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.