This is going to sound a little weird, but I’m actually a little relieved that the Chicago Cubs are shutting down left-handed starting pitcher Jordan Wicks, ending his season early because of an oblique strain. Obviously you would prefer players not to be injured, but seeing Wicks struggle in his last couple of outings makes me feel better that his bad pitching was because of the muscle injury instead of the lefty simply pitching poorly.
Wicks began the 2024 season with high expectations for himself, but his year has been riddled with injuries. The 25-year-old finishes the year with a 5.48 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, with 42 strikeouts in only 46 innings. His last start was against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday, when Wicks gave up four earned runs in five innings. The home run ball was a huge issue in his last two games, allowing seven of them in eight innings.
The 2021 first round pick of the Cubs had already missed 2+ months of action because of an oblique strain and that came after he missed two months because of a forearm strain after his first five starts of the season.
Right-handed reliever Trey Wingenter has been called up from Triple-A to replace Wicks on the active roster.
Wingenter, 30, was first added to the Cubs bullpen a few weeks ago and made three appearances. The right-hander had two scoreless outings with four strikeouts and one walk against the New York Yankees and Oakland A’s while allowing a two-run home run to Tommy Edman at Dodger Stadium.
This is definitely a frustrating time for Wicks, who went out and earned a spot in the starting rotation with his work in the offseason and execution during spring training. There have been glimpses of how good Wicks can be, as he’s increased his fastball velocity that works well with a filthy change up.
Unfortunately, 2024 is pretty much a wash for Wicks, who was only able to make 10 starts and one relief appearance for the Cubs.
