Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jordan Wicks (oblique) was activated off the 60-day IL on Sunday morning and is slated to start the series finale as the Cubs look to complete a three-game sweep against the Washington Nationals. Wicks hit the IL back in June with an oblique strain and will likely remain in the starting rotation throughout the remainder of the regular season. Prior to the injury, the southpaw held a 4.18 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 28 frames. The 25-year-old held an above-average 25.0% K rate and a 28.0% whiff rate. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues needing a depth starting pitcher should look at Wicks on the waiver wire this weekend. DFS players should consider placing Wicks in their starting lineup as the Nationals have posted a mere .131 ISO against southpaws this season.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jordan Wicks (oblique) is nearly ready to return to the big league roster. The left-hander was scratched ahead of his start at Triple-A Iowa on Friday. The organization did this so they could have Wicks fresh for a possible start this weekend against the Washington Nationals. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said they could reshuffle their starting rotation over the next few days. Wicks hasn't been great for the Cubs this season, but he gives the team another viable arm down the stretch of the September. The southpaw has a 4.18 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 32/10 K/BB ratio across seven games (six starts) with the Cubs this season. He could be a streaming option against the Nats lackluster offense, but isn't a great long term fantasy option.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks (oblique) made his second minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Thursday and allowed four earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out three in two innings of work. Wicks threw 59 pitches. The 24-year-old southpaw has not looked good at all in his first two rehab starts for Iowa, allowing 10 earned runs in just 3 2/3 innings. He's attempting to return from a Grade 2 right-oblique strain that he suffered in the middle of June. The Cubs will probably want to see Wicks make another start or two in the minors before they feel comfortable activating him from the injured list. And when Wicks does return to the big leagues, there's a good chance he'll be tasked with a long-relief role out of the bullpen. Wicks has a 4.18 ERA and 1.46 WHIP this year with 32 strikeouts in only 28 innings of work with the Cubs.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks (oblique) had a tough go of it in his first minor-league rehab start last Saturday for Triple-A Iowa, giving up six earned runs on four hits (three homers) while walking two and striking out two in just 1 2/3 innings of work. Wicks was hit around the yard in his first game since going on the injured list in the middle of June with a Grade 2 right-oblique strain. The good news is that Wicks was able to throw 43 pitches and didn't have any physical setbacks with his oblique muscle. Obviously, the Cubs will require Wicks make at least a few more rehab starts before he's an option to rejoin the big-league pitching staff down the stretch. However, even when he's ready to come off the 60-day injured list, Wicks won't be guaranteed a spot in Chicago's starting rotation, so fantasy managers in most leagues can continue to ignore him.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks (oblique) will make a minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. It will be Wicks' first time pitching in a game since suffering a Grade 2 right-oblique strain back in the middle of June, so he'll almost certainly require multiple rehab starts before the Cubs consider activating him from the injured list. And even when the 24-year-old southpaw is cleared to return to the big-league pitching staff, there's no guarantee that he'll immediately re-enter Chicago's starting rotation. Wicks did have a 25% strikeout rate in 28 innings pitched this year before going down with an oblique injury while sporting a 4.18 ERA (3.10 FIP) and 1.46 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and 10 walks in seven appearances (six starts). At best, Wicks will be a deep-league, matchup-based streaming option down the stretch if he replaces Kyle Hendricks in the rotation.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jordan Wicks (oblique) threw live batting practice on Friday afternoon, according to Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports. Wicks was recently shifted to the 60-day IL after suffering a grade two oblique strain in June. Through 28 innings this season, the southpaw has held a modest 4.18 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and a 10:32 BB:K ratio. Last summer, in his debut season, the former first-round pick posted a similar 4.41 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 34 innings of work. This was a big first step for the Kansas State product as he looks to potentially return to the mound before the end of the month. When he returns, he will either serve as the sixth man in the rotation or be pushed to a long relief role.

The Chicago Cubs moved left-hander Jordan Wicks (oblique) to the 60-day injured list on Friday to make room on the 40-man roster for pitcher Jesus Tinoco, whose contract was selected from the minors. Wicks will not be eligible to come off the IL until the middle of August, but he might need more time than that after suffering a Grade 2 right-oblique strain in the middle of June. The 24-year-old southpaw went 1-2 with a 4.18 ERA (3.09 FIP) and 1.46 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and 10 walks in 28 innings over his seven appearances (six starts) for the Cubbies earlier this year before getting hurt. When healthy, Hicks can be a matchup-based streamer in deeper fantasy leagues, but there's no guarantee he'll return in a starting role later this season.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jordan Wicks (forearm) is scheduled to throw two more bullpen sessions before embarking on his rehab assignment, as per manager Craig Counsell. Wicks is making significant progress after only being placed on the 15-day injured list on April 28. The southpaw has already faced live hitters but the Cubs are leaning on the side of caution with their young starting pitcher. The 24-year-old made his major league debut late last season and posted a modest 4.41 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 34 innings. This season, he has thrown only 23 innings with a 4.70 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. When Wicks is cleared to return, he should expected to operate as the fifth man in the Cubs rotation, making him only worth rostering in deeper fantasy leagues.

Chicago Cubs left-handers Drew Smyly (hip) and Jordan Wicks (forearm) were both scheduled to throw bullpen sessions on Tuesday. Wicks went on the injured list over a week ago with a strained left forearm but is already good to throw off a mound, so it sounds as though his injury isn't very serious. However, the 24-year-old southpaw could need a minor-league rehab assignment before the Cubs feel comfortable returning him to their starting rotation. Smyly, 34, is recovering from a right-hip impingement and has already missed several weeks. Because Smyly is a reliever, he may not need as lengthy of a rehab assignment before rejoining Chicago's bullpen. In a starting role, Wicks is more attractive in fantasy in deeper leagues. He had a 4.70 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP and 28 K's in five starts before his injury.

Chicago Cubs left-handers Jordan Wicks (forearm) and Drew Smyly (hip) have been cleared to resume playing catch. Wicks just landed on the 15-day injured list this past Sunday with a left-forearm strain, while Smyly has been out for two weeks due to a right-hip impingement. Wicks' injury is obviously a bit less serious, but it's good news for the Cubs pitching staff that both southpaws are ramping back up. It's unclear when either hurler will be able to return to the big-league roster, but when Wicks is ready, he should return to the rotation. The 24-year-old went 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 28 K's in 23 innings in his first five starts. Smyly has plenty of starting experience, but he figures to return to the Cubs' bullpen when he's activated.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks (forearm) will not start in Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox due to left forearm tightness. Wicks picked up the injury after his last start between Saturday and his previous start on Tuesday. The 24-year-old is considered day-to-day and will miss at least one start. Hayden Wesneski will replace Wicks on Sunday. Wesneski owns a 0.16 WHIP and a 3:0 K: BB across 6 1/3 innings in 2024. The Red Sox offense just put up 17 runs on the Cubs and is firing on all cylinders heading into the series finale, making Wesneski a risky fantasy streamer or DFS play on Sunday.