Jordan Wicks’ return from the injured list didn’t last long, as the Chicago Cubs placed the left-hander on the 15-day IL on Saturday due to a right oblique strain.
Wicks, 24, had been activated from the list on June 7 after dealing with a left forearm strain. He was making his first start since April 23, and second appearance since June 7, on Friday against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals.
After striking out the first two batters of the second inning, Wicks allowed a single by Dylan Carlson and appeared to be experiencing some discomfort before Brendan Donovan stepped up to the plate. Wicks seemed to grab at his lower back while speaking with Chicago manager Craig Counsell and a trainer.
Wicks said he felt “tightness” in his side after throwing a pitch, and the discomfort persisted for a couple of pitches, leading to his departure. He threw 28 pitches in the outing and gave up two hits without allowing a run or a walk.
He did not figure into the decision as the Cardinals won 3-0.
Wicks is 1-2 with a 4.18 ERA, 10 walks and 32 strikeouts in 28 innings over seven games (six starts). Selected by the Cubs 21st overall in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Kansas State, Wicks is 5-3 with a 4.31 ERA in 62 2/3 innings in 14 games (13 starts) since his major league debut last August.
In a corresponding move Saturday, the Cubs recalled right-hander Keegan Thompson from Triple-A Iowa. Thompson, 29, is 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA, six walks and 19 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings over nine relief appearances this season.
Over parts of four seasons with the Cubs, Thompson is 16-11 with three saves, a 3.86 ERA, 99 walks and 208 strikeouts in 209 2/3 innings over 89 games (23 starts).
–Field Level Media
