The St. Louis Cardinals will play the 2020 season without reliever Jordan Hicks. The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher has decided to opt-out of the 2020 season citing pre-existing health concerns. He was already recovering from Tommy John surgery but the concerns around COVID-19 only heighten the danger some players might feel playing this season. The team announced Hicks’ decision early Monday afternoon.
Jordan Hicks has opted out of the 2020 season, citing pre-existing health concerns. pic.twitter.com/WjNhHaDqHy
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 13, 2020
Cardinals Jordan Hicks To Sit Out This Season
Hicks pitched in just 28 2/3 innings before suffering an elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery. He posted a 3.14 ERA with 14 saves, 31 strikeouts, and 11 walks. He improved his strikeout per nine innings rate from 8.1 in 2018 to 9.7 in 2019 while also decreasing his walks per nine innings from 5.2 to 3.5. Hicks’ injury could have affected his numbers this season but we will wait until 2021 to see Hicks back in action.
The Cardinals originally selected Hicks in the third round of the 2015 Amateur Draft out of Cypress Creek High in Houston, TX. He debuted in 2018 but is one of the organization’s best relief arms. Hicks has a 3.47 ERA with 101 strikeouts and 56 walks in 106 1/3 innings. His best weapon is a sinking fastball that averaged just over 101 MPH in 2019 but he throws a good slider and an occasional changeup. He also had a 2.82 ERA in 165 2/3 innings in two minor league seasons.
What This Means for the Future
It is unknown who St. Louis might use as its closer in 2020. Carlos Martinez took over the role when Hicks went to the injured list but the veteran pitcher might re-enter the starting rotation. Andrew Miller is an option but the veteran is still better-suited as a multi-inning reliever. Ryan Helsley is another after a solid debut in 2019 that featured a 2.89 ERA in 53 innings. The Cardinals may decide to go with some sort of committee approach if no reliever truly seizes control. It is important for Hicks to heal and return in 2021 at full strength with no extra health concerns.
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