The Chicago Cubs pitcher Jordan Wicks suffered an injury and had to exit a game against the St. Louis Cardinals in the second inning on Friday. According to manager Craig Counsell, Wicks experienced discomfort in his right oblique. Following the Cubs’ 3-0 loss to the Cardinals, Counsell informed reporters that Wicks was likely to be placed on the injured list due to his oblique issue. This would mean Kyle Hendricks will return to the rotation after being demoted to the bullpen a month ago.
Wicks had a promising start to the game, allowing no runs and two hits in 1 2/3 innings before exiting due to injury. He has only pitched two games since returning from an injury with a forearm strain that kept him out for 40 days. In those games, he has posted a 4.18 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 28 innings and a 1-2 record.
Hendricks took over for Wicks in relief and pitched four scoreless innings, allowing only two hits. Prior to being moved to the bullpen, Hendricks struggled with a 10.57 ERA in seven starts, giving up more earned runs than any pitcher in MLB at that time.
Kyle Gibson of the Cardinals pitched seven strong innings, allowing no runs and two hits while striking out six. In the eighth inning, Pedro Pagés broke the scoreless tie with his first career home run off of Hayden Wesneski. St. Louis added two more runs in the ninth inning on an RBI double by Iván Herrera and a run-scoring single from Dylan Carlson
