Cubs Recall Jordan Wicks, Option Luke Little to Minors \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Chicago Cubs recalled left-hander Jordan Wicks from Triple-A Iowa following Luke Little’s rough relief outing. Little allowed a run and issued four walks in just two outs during a loss to San Diego. Wicks, a 2021 first-round pick, will pitch out of the bullpen for now.
Quick Looks
- Cubs recalled left-hander Jordan Wicks from Triple-A Iowa on Friday
- Luke Little was optioned back to Iowa after a difficult relief appearance
- Wicks was a 2021 first-round draft pick and has MLB starting experience
- Wicks holds a 6-5 record and 5.02 ERA over 18 MLB appearances
- He posted a 5.48 ERA in 10 starts and 11 outings last season
- He will work out of the bullpen instead of starting rotation for now
- Little walked four and allowed one run in a short stint vs. Padres
- Roster moves were announced ahead of the Cubs’ game vs. the Diamondbacks
Deep Look
In a strategic roster adjustment aimed at reinforcing their bullpen, the Chicago Cubs have recalled left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks from Triple-A Iowa and optioned fellow lefty Luke Little back to the minor league club. The move comes after a rocky relief outing from Little against the San Diego Padres, highlighting ongoing volatility in Chicago’s middle relief corps early in the season.
The roster changes were announced on Friday afternoon, just hours before the Cubs opened a weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. The decision underscores the team’s commitment to managing bullpen consistency and leveraging its pitching depth as the 2024 season ramps up.
Luke Little Struggles in Relief
Luke Little, who was recalled just one day earlier, entered the game against San Diego and struggled mightily with his command. He recorded just two outs, walked four batters, and allowed one earned run, contributing to a frustrating defeat for the Cubs. It was a tough outing for a young pitcher still seeking to find his rhythm at the major league level.
Little, known for his towering 6-foot-8 frame and high-velocity fastball, has flashed intriguing upside. However, control has long been a concern in his development, and Wednesday’s appearance reaffirmed that more refinement is needed. While his raw tools remain promising, his ability to command the zone and execute under pressure is still a work in progress.
The Cubs’ coaching staff will likely focus on mechanics and mental approach during his time back in Triple-A. Little remains an important part of Chicago’s future pitching plans, but this latest stint serves as a reminder that even highly-touted prospects need time to adjust to the major league stage.
Jordan Wicks Rejoins the Big League Club
Replacing Little is Jordan Wicks, a 25-year-old left-hander who was the Cubs’ first-round draft pick in 2021 out of Kansas State University. Wicks has been on the organization’s radar since his college days, known for his advanced command, smooth delivery, and a solid mix of off-speed pitches, particularly his changeup, which has drawn praise throughout his development.
Wicks made his major league debut in 2023 and appeared in 11 games, including 10 starts. He finished last season with a 2–4 record and a 5.48 ERA, learning on the fly as he adjusted to MLB hitters. Across his young career, Wicks has posted a 6–5 record with a 5.02 ERA in 18 appearances, showing moments of promise mixed with expected growing pains.
While originally groomed as a starter, Wicks will be working out of the bullpen for the time being, a move designed to ease him back into major league action without the workload of full starts. This also gives the Cubs greater flexibility in managing matchups and innings, especially against left-handed-heavy lineups.
Why the Cubs Made the Move
Manager Craig Counsell, in his first season at the helm for Chicago, has emphasized versatility and consistency throughout spring training and the opening weeks of the regular season. The bullpen, though talented, has shown signs of instability — particularly when it comes to middle relief. Walks, hit batters, and lack of shutdown innings have hurt the team in late-game situations.
Little’s outing in San Diego wasn’t just a bad night; it was part of a broader pattern the front office and coaching staff are aiming to fix before it becomes a deeper issue. By calling up Wicks, who has more experience, better command, and a steadier mound presence, the Cubs are hoping to stabilize their left-handed options in relief.
This is not a demotion in confidence for Little, but rather a sign that the organization wants to put its young pitchers in positions to succeed — and sometimes that means more development time in Triple-A.
Jordan Wicks’ Path to the Majors
Wicks’ rise through the minors was relatively fast. After being selected 21st overall in 2021, he impressed at multiple levels of the Cubs’ system. His poise, pitching IQ, and mature approach quickly earned him a spot among Chicago’s top pitching prospects.
His debut in 2023 was seen as a step forward in the team’s rebuilding process, and though he faced tough competition, Wicks held his own. Now, as he re-enters the major league picture, he has a chance to refine his skills in a lower-pressure bullpen role — a tactical decision by the Cubs that could pay dividends later in the season.
If Wicks thrives in relief, the Cubs could either maintain him in that role as a lefty specialist or stretch him back into a starting position should injuries or performance dictate a need.
Cubs’ Season Outlook and Rotation Strategy
The Cubs are expected to be contenders in the National League Central, a division that remains wide open. Their starting rotation — anchored by veterans like Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and Kyle Hendricks — offers stability, but the bullpen has been a question mark.
Developing arms like Wicks, Little, and others such as Ben Brown and Daniel Palencia are crucial to long-term success. The ability to mix and match, rotate pitchers between roles, and maintain depth throughout a 162-game season could be the difference between a playoff push and falling short.
By investing innings in Wicks at the major league level now, the Cubs are not only managing current needs but also accelerating his readiness for a more prominent role should the opportunity arise.
Final Thoughts: A Measured, Development-Focused Move
The Cubs’ decision to recall Jordan Wicks and option Luke Little highlights a deliberate and development-focused strategy. Rather than sticking with an arm struggling in the moment, the team acted decisively, showing a commitment to both performance and long-term growth.
For Wicks, the call-up is a chance to reaffirm his trajectory as one of the organization’s most promising young pitchers. For Little, it’s a brief detour meant to refine and strengthen his mechanics and mindset.
As the season continues, both pitchers are likely to play meaningful roles in Chicago’s quest to return to postseason contention — whether in relief, in the rotation, or as key depth options ready to step up.
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