When Jordan Wicks was actually on the mound for the Cubs this season, he looked good. Really good, even. He managed contact well, he thew the ball hard (with more movement than ever), and he struck out 25% of the batters he faced. To me, when healthy, Jordan Wicks is clearly one of the five best starters the Cubs can put out there. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been healthy very often.
After tossing a quality start against the Astros in late April, Wicks hit the injured list with the always-dreaded forearm strain. In terms of his recovery, the Cubs wisely played it slowly, giving him extended time off and then three full starts in the minors before getting him back up to Chicago. Unfortunately, just a couple of games into his return, Wicks’ oblique grabbed him and he hit the shelf once again, eventually moving to the 60-day IL.
But things finally seem to be progressing back in the right direction.
Jordan Wicks on His Way Back?
Wicks, who became officially eligible to return on August 14, has now made four rehab starts with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. And while he needed to shake off the rust in his first two starts back (no surprises or concerns there, that’s what the rehab stint is for), he’s been looking pretty lights out in his last two games (combined): 8.2 IP, 4H, 0ER, 1BB, 8K.
Yesterday’s outing was his best yet, with 4.2 scoreless innings, ramping up to 73 pitches.
Jordan Wicks tossed 4.2 more shutout innings today 🔥 8.2-inning scoreless streak 👀 pic.twitter.com/mpu8xS72Nj
— Iowa Cubs (@IowaCubs) August 25, 2024
After four outings total, and two that can be classified as “Okay, now he’s really competing,” I have to think we’re getting close to a decision point on whether he comes back up and joins the big league staff (which aligns exactly with the timeline Patrick Mooney laid out a couple of weeks ago). But if Wicks does come back up, how will the Cubs manage their arms?
They could go to a six-man rotation, which would help slow down Shota Imanaga (for one), saving some bullets for next year when they’ll probably matter more. It’s also possible that someone gets an IL breather. Or that Kyle Hendricks gets moved back into the bullpen.
It’s also possible, of course, that the Cubs will simply option Jordan Wicks to Iowa, where he can finish out the year.
Whatever the decision – and I expect we’ll find out before his next start on regular rest (which would be this Friday vs the Nationals) – the Cubs must prioritize 2025. Not this season. If they determine that he’ll be best served pitching the rest of the way in Iowa, where certain factors can be slightly more controlled, then so be it. I am of the mind that Wicks is going to be a big part of the Cubs’ rotation next year. And since this year’s playoff efforts are futile, that must be where the focus lies.