Jordan Wicks's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Chicago Cubs left-handers Jordan Wicks (forearm) and Drew Smyly (hip) have been cleared to resume playing catch. Wicks just landed on the 15-day injured list this past Sunday with a left-forearm strain, while Smyly has been out for two weeks due to a right-hip impingement. Wicks' injury is obviously a bit less serious, but it's good news for the Cubs pitching staff that both southpaws are ramping back up. It's unclear when either hurler will be able to return to the big-league roster, but when Wicks is ready, he should return to the rotation. The 24-year-old went 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 28 K's in 23 innings in his first five starts. Smyly has plenty of starting experience, but he figures to return to the Cubs' bullpen when he's activated.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks (forearm) will not start in Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox due to left forearm tightness. Wicks picked up the injury after his last start between Saturday and his previous start on Tuesday. The 24-year-old is considered day-to-day and will miss at least one start. Hayden Wesneski will replace Wicks on Sunday. Wesneski owns a 0.16 WHIP and a 3:0 K: BB across 6 1/3 innings in 2024. The Red Sox offense just put up 17 runs on the Cubs and is firing on all cylinders heading into the series finale, making Wesneski a risky fantasy streamer or DFS play on Sunday.

The Chicago Cubs have Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, Kyle Hendricks, and Shota Imanaga locked into the top four spots in their starting rotation to begin the 2024 season, with Javier Assad, Drew Smyly, Hayden Wesneski and Jordan Wicks battling for the final spot in spring training. Right now, Assad and Wicks might have the edge for the fifth spot, but it's a coin flip, according to MLB's Jordan Bastian. Manager Craig Counsell wants to maintain flexibility with the last rotation spot, meaning there could be a shuttle between Triple-A Iowa and Chicago to build in extra rest for the starters. If Smyly doesn't win the job, he should fit in the bullpen. Assad, 26, had a strong 3.05 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 109 1/3 innings in 2023. Wicks, 24, a former first-rounder, had a 4.41 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in just 34 2/3 innings in his rookie season.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jordan Wicks is a candidate to open the year at Triple-A Iowa, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Wicks is presumably competing with Javier Assad, Drew Smyly, and Hayden Wesneski for the No. 5 role in the rotation, and Bastian notes that Wicks could be "better served" establishing a starter's routine in Triple-A until needed at the big-league level. The 24-year-old showed flashes of promise during his rookie season last year, going 4-1 with a 4.47 ERA, 6.23 K/9, 2.86 BB/9, and .269 BABIP.