Chicago Cubs’ injured first-round asset dazzles in first start of season

The Chicago Cubs got an unusual dose of good news recently when 2021 first-round draft pick Jordan Wicks returned from injury to finally make his first start of 2026 for the Iowa Cubs. To make the good news better, he actually looked very solid.

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The lefty pitched three shutouts innings over the weekend, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out two in a 7-6 win over the Columbus Clippers.

The versatile Wicks, who can be used as a starter or as a reliever, was thought to be in the running for a major league roster spot this season, but left forearm nerve irritation saw him get shut down early in spring training. It was a disappointing turn of events for the 26-year-old who had made some modifications to his technique and conditioning which he felt would get him to the next level of his development.

His early-spring injury, as it turns out, was a harbinger of ill tidings for Chicago’s pitching staff as a whole, which has lost 24-year-old ace Cade Horton for the season with an elbow injury and several others to IL stints with assorted injuries.

The Cubs’ pitching misfortune

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The Cubs came into spring training with well-placed confidence in their pitching staff. After the addition of emerging power pitcher Edward Cabrera via trade with the Miami Marlins, the team boasted a starting rotation overflowing with depth that, as a result, would also make for depth in the bullpen.

A starting five of Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, and Cabrera was established. Colin Rea, Javier Assad, and Ben Brown, meanwhile, were swingmen who could perform as long relief or step into the rotation if needed.

In the bullpen, free agent acquisitions Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, and Hunter Harvey would join the re-signed Caleb Thielbar and closer Daniel Palencia.

Wicks was thought to be a quality depth piece for 2026, working back and forth between Triple-A and the majors as a spot starter or as a southpaw bullpen asset.

Then, a wave of bad luck washed over the pitching staff.

Wicks and Porter Hodge were put on the shelf in spring training (Hodge would later have to undergo season-ending elbow surgery).

There were the injuries to Horton, Boyd, Palencia, Maton, Harvey, and Ethan Roberts.

Depth players Rea, Assad, and Brown have stepped up and are doing well so far. Riley Martin has performed brilliantly as a call-up from Iowa. But there’s a serious question about how much strain the staff can take before it collapses under the pressure.

Wicks’ role in Chicago

That’s where Wicks might come in.

He’s capable of playing multiple roles and could take pressure off both the starters and the bullpen. He hasn’t yet been capable of delivering consistent results at the big league level after several shots at a gig, but nobody in the Cubs organization doubts his potential.

So far, he has a career ERA of 5.21 through parts of three big league seasons (26 appearances, 17 starts, 95 total innings pitched). Last year, he posted an ugly 6.28 ERA over just 8 games, but 9 of his 10 earned runs came in just two outings.

Wicks isn’t expected to be moved up to Chicago right now, but if he’s healthy and effective, he stands to be a good asset to have in the toolbox, just in case.

The post Chicago Cubs’ injured first-round asset dazzles in first start of season appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-jordan-wicks-2026-debut-iowa/