The Chicago Cubs made a roster move Friday that highlights their ongoing rotation struggles. Left-hander Jordan Wicks was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to replace injured starter Jameson Taillon, who landed on the 15-day injured list with a right calf strain.
Initial assumptions were that Wicks would be replacing a bullpen member when he was spotted at Wrigley Field before Friday’s Chicago Cubs game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
He was supposed to be utilized to extend the rotation as the first half came to an end, and that is somewhat accurate. Wicks will be replacing an injured starter, though, rather than allowing Porter Hodge more time to recuperate and ramp up.
Cubs Place Jameson Taillon on Injured List With Calf Strain
The Cubs summoned left-hander Wicks from Triple-A Iowa and placed right-hander Taillon on the 15-day injured list on Friday, retroactive to Tuesday, due to a strain in his right calf.
Taillon, 33, has made 17 starts for the Cubs this season and is 7-6 with a 4.44 ERA, including a 1.11 WHIP. Taillon suffered the injury while running on Thursday after a bullpen session, according to Cubs manager Craig Counsell.
Jameson Taillon is headed to the IL. pic.twitter.com/hvs6SrD399
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 4, 2025
This season, Wicks, 25, pitched in 12 games (11 starts) for Iowa, going 1-3 with one save, a 4.06 ERA, and 46 strikeouts. He recorded a 1.65 ERA, 20 strikeouts, three walks, 0.86 WHIP, and a .186 opponents’ batting average in his past five starts, which began on May 18.
Among Triple-A pitchers who have made at least five starts, he is second in WHIP, tied for fourth in ERA, sixth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.67), and tenth in strikeouts per nine innings (11.02).
Wicks made two bullpen appearances and gave up three earned runs in two innings during his first stay with the Cubs this season in April.
Rotation Struggles Could Force Cubs to Make Trade Deadline Moves
The Chicago Cubs have a four-game lead in the National League Central going into play on Friday. The Cubs’ rotation is already without Justin Steele, who underwent elbow surgery. Their starting rotation has a 4.22 ERA, which is among the worst in baseball.
The Cubs were already looking for a starting pitcher, according to reports. They might feel pressured to add a starter now, though. Even Shota Imanaga, who has been the Cubs’ finest pitcher, has missed more than a month of action this season.
The visiting Chicago Cubs blanked the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 last week thanks to hitmaker Imanaga, who came off the injured list and gave up only one hit in five innings. The Cubs split the four-game series 2-2 after pitching their second consecutive shutout.
Imanaga (4-2) made his first start since he recovered from a hamstring ailment on May 4 and walked one while striking out three.
The organization may act aggressively to take advantage of what might be the Cubs’ only season with Kyle Tucker, and the trade deadline is July 31.
Since Steele won’t be returning this season, there are significant doubts regarding this rotation’s ability to continue in October. We should anticipate that Jed Hoyer will keep pushing his chips, as Chicago has positioned itself to purchase at the trade deadline.