Cubs Announce Two Key Pitchers Headed to Injured List

The 2026 regular season is less than three weeks away, but the Cubs have been delivered an early blow to their bullpen picture.

“Bullpen by committee” was the mantra for Craig Counsell and the Chicago Cubs in 2025. It began with a rocky start from Ryan Pressly, whose attempts to close games left our hearts in our throats. But then came the emergence of Daniel Palencia’s fastball and veteran holds from Brad Keller and Drew Pomeranz. The Cubs made the postseason with this recipe. They’re looking for even more in 2026.

Although both Keller and Pomeranz have moved on to new teams, the importance of production from their spots in the bullpen remains. Jordan Wicks and Porter Hodge, who have both had a history of injury problems, were poised to make 2026 their year to contribute to the Cubs’ bullpen. However, they will be starting the season getting healthy rather than getting outs.

Beat reporter for the Chicago Cubs, Bruce Levine, confirmed on Sunday via an X post that right-handed pitcher Porter Hodge and left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks will begin the 2026 campaign on the injured list. Hodge is dealing with a flexor strain in his throwing elbow, while Wicks is dealing with nerve pain in his throwing elbow.

An oblique strain and shoulder issues limited Hodge’s 2025 season to just 36 appearances for the Cubs. Wicks spent most of 2025 with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, but did appear eight times at the MLB level. Hodge was projected to be a setup man for closer Daniel Palencia. Wicks was slated to be a long reliever or emergency starter, potentially as needed.

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Neither report seems great for these pitchers long-term. As for the Cubs, there are a plethora of options to maintain the “next man up” mentality. It’s early, which is a benefit. However, the Cubs will need to use the remainder of Spring Training to ensure they have the best bullpen possible by March 26.