Cubs Place Porter Hodge, Jordan Wicks on Season-Opening IL

The Chicago Cubs are starting the season with a shorthanded bullpen. Manager Craig Counsell said relievers Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks will open the year on the injured list with issues that shouldn’t last long.

This post digs into what happened, what it means for the Cubs’ spring plans, and how the club might handle a deeper bullpen battle without two of its depth arms.

Injury updates for Cubs relievers

Counsell explained that both players are dealing with injuries that’ll keep them off the mound for now. He emphasized that neither is facing a season-ending problem.

The news comes at a tricky point in spring training, right when teams are shaping bullpen roles and depth charts for the regular season.

Hodge and Wicks had been in the mix for bullpen spots. Their setbacks now open the door for other arms to grab late-inning and long-relief roles as spring moves along.

Porter Hodge: Flexor strain

Porter Hodge, a 24-year-old righty, will stop throwing for a few weeks after imaging found a flexor strain in his elbow. The issue popped up after his last spring outing, so he’ll need to ramp back up once he’s healthy.

Last season was rough for Hodge—he appeared in 26 games, posted a 6.27 ERA, and battled several injuries. That’s made it tough for him to lock down a bullpen role.

Counsell described the injury as a setback, not a long-term roadblock. He sounded cautiously optimistic about Hodge’s return.

Jordan Wicks: Nerve irritation

Jordan Wicks, a 26-year-old lefty who’s bounced between the minors and majors, has been out since late February with nerve irritation. Counsell said Wicks won’t be ready for Opening Day but should start throwing later this month.

Wicks is seen more as a depth arm than a lock for high-leverage spots. The Cubs will keep a close eye on his progress this spring.

Spring plans and Opening Day implications

These injuries are forcing the Cubs to rethink their bullpen plans for spring. With Hodge and Wicks sidelined, Chicago’s got to reshuffle the competition and look for other arms who can eat innings and bridge to the closer.

Counsell called the timing “unfortunate” but seemed relieved that neither pitcher is out for the year. It’s a temporary hit to the depth chart, but it also gives other relievers in camp a real shot to prove they can handle important innings when April rolls around.

Implications for bullpen depth and options

Here’s how the Cubs might handle the current bullpen gap as spring moves along:

• Reallocation of innings—Other relievers in camp will need to pick up extra innings on days when Hodge and Wicks would’ve pitched. That’s going to test both their endurance and their ability to stay consistent.
• Injury timeline flexibility—If Hodge comes back on schedule after a few weeks of rest and rehab, the Cubs can ease him back in with a lighter workload. No need to rush—spring’s long enough for a gradual return.
• Depth arms gaining chances—Depth options and non-roster invitees in the bullpen will get more chances to prove themselves as trustworthy for late-inning spots. Someone’s bound to make a case if given enough looks.
• Opening Day considerations—The Opening Day plan is still up in the air. On the bright side, neither injury looks season-ending, so there’s a path to a workable bullpen without forcing anyone back too soon.

As Hodge and Wicks go through their recoveries, Chicago’s going to focus on keeping the bullpen competition lively. Protecting young arms from setbacks is a priority, and Opening Day decisions will probably lean toward pragmatism instead of panic.

 
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