Chicago Cubs Shakeup Roster as Top Prospect Promoted

The Chicago Cubs have called up pitching prospect Jordan Wicks to start Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh and to make room they’ve moved pitcher Michael Fulmer to the 15-day injured list.

The Cubs were reportedly calling up Wicks on Saturday but made the move official. What was unclear from initial reports was when Wicks would start.

Some targeted Sunday because the Cubs opted to move their projected Sunday starter, Drew Smyly, to the bullpen.

Instead the Cubs opted for Saturday, pushing back Javier Assad to Sunday to give him an extra day of rest.

Fulmer’s move is retroactive to Friday. He is 3-5 with a 4.47 ERA this season in 57 games, with one save. He’s throw 56.1 innings and has 63 strikeouts against 27 walks.

Wicks, the No. 10 prospect in the Cubs’ organization per MLB.com, was scratched from his intended start at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, prompting speculation that he might get a call-up to the Cubs.

Wicks is in his third season in the Cubs’ organization and split his 2023 between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa. Combined he is 7-0 with a 3.55 ERA with 99 strikeouts and 32 walks. Batters are hitting just .223 against him.

With the Iowa Cubs he is 3-0 in seven starts with 30 strikeouts and 13 walks in 33 innings.

Wicks split 2022 between the High Class-A South Bend Cubs and Tennessee, going a combined 4-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 24 starts, throwing 94.2 innings. He struck out 121 and walked 28 and allowed batters to hit .247 against him.

In 2021 he made his pro debut with the Class-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans, throwing four starts without a decision. He had a 5.14 ERA with five strikeouts and three walks in seven innings.

Wicks was the Cubs’ first-round pick in 2021 after a tremendous career with Kansas State.

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