Cubs Recall Porter Hodge, Option Jordan Wicks

Hey, signing Carlos Santana wasn’t the only move the Cubs made on Sunday. See below for the latest in their bullpen streaming adventures. Jordan Wicks has really struggled to find his way in the bigs and he’s served in solely a relief capacity over six appearances this season. He’s looked good as a starter in Iowa, but he’ll have to figure something out if he wants to shake that AAAA label.

Hodge burst onto the scene last season as the Cubs’ unlikely closer, racking up nine saves late in the season as the team’s acquisition of a former Astros reliever failed to pan out. They produced a sequel this year, but Hodge struggled with injury issues and Daniel Palencia rose to take the 9th inning. Hodge’s strikeout numbers at Triple-A have been outstanding, but his walks are alarming and his 6.61 ERA is unsightly.

Some of that is a function of working through mechanical issues while ramping back up, so we’ll have to hope he’s able to dial it in. If he’s right, he’ll provide another strong high-leverage option with Brad Keller to set up Palencia.

See the media release below for more…

The Chicago Cubs today recalled right-handed pitcher Porter Hodge from Triple-A Iowa. In a corresponding move, left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks has been optioned to Triple-A.

Hodge, 24, is 1-3 with a 6.61 ERA (12 ER/16.1 IP) and 26 strikeouts in 15 relief appearances with the I-Cubs in 2025. He has held opponents scoreless in each of his last nine games (12.0 IP) since August 1 and is one of three Triple-A pitchers (min. 9 G) to have posted a 0.00 ERA in that span. In 26 outings with the Cubs this season, Hodge is 2-1 with two saves, a 6.85 ERA (18 ER/23.2 IP) and 25 strikeouts.

Wicks, 25, has one loss and a 8.71 ERA (10 ER/10.1 IP) in six outings, all out of the bullpen, with the Cubs this season.

The Cubs play the Colorado Rockies today at 2:10 p.m. CT at Coors Field in a game that can be seen on Marquee Sports Network and heard on 670 the Score and, in Spanish, on WRTO 1200 AM.