Chicago Cubs: Wicks sent down, Pomeranz called up ahead of Cards series

The Chicago Cubs made a couple of noteworthy roster moves ahead of their holiday weekend series against the division rival St. Louis Cardinals. They’re the kinds of moves a team must make when
necessity forces them to be really creative with their pitching staff management.

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On Thursday, the Cubs optioned left-handed pitcher Jordan Wicks to Triple-A Iowa. In a corresponding move on Friday, per MLB insider Bruce Levine and several other sources, Chicago is calling up veteran lefty reliever Drew Pomeranz, a former Cub signed to a minor league contract June 22 after being DFAd by the Los Angeles Angels.

Jordan Wicks down

MLB: Spring Training Chicago Cubs at Hanshin Tigers Mar 15, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan; Chicago Cubs pitcher Jordan Wicks (36) throws a pitch against the Hanshin Tigers during the eighth inning at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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Wicks, despite two noteworthy outings since his June 28 call-up from Iowa, was never guaranteed anything other than a temporary fill-in spot on a Cubs pitching staff beleaguered by injury and grasping for healthy arms wherever possible. The team clearly feels the former first round draft pick is of greater use stretched out in Iowa as an emergency starter than sitting in the major league bullpen waiting for innings.

On Wednesday, the 26-year-old got credit for a save in his three-inning outing in the Cubs’ ugly 23-3 thrashing of the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field.

The Sunday before that, he notched another save when he came in and shut the door against a Milwaukee Brewers team with the base loaded and no outs, down 4-3 in the bottom of the tenth inning at American Family Field.

Drew Pomeranz up

MLB: Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs May 26, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Drew Pomeranz (45) pitches during the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

The 36-year-old Pomeranz now comes in as the more experienced bullpen role player and short reliever, albeit one looking for a turnaround of what’s been an ugly 2025 season so far.

Through 25 appearances with the Angels, the veteran showed himself in deep decline, posting a 5.01 ERA over the first part of his one-year, $4 million free agent contract with the last place Southern California team before being released.

Last season, Pomeranz went from retirement-bound to a career rebirth with the Cubs after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations in late April. At the time, the veteran hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2021.

The southpaw would end up having an incredible bounceback year, posting a 2.17 ERA in 49.2 innings over 57 appearances as a key piece of Chicago’s bullpen. In the playoffs, he was also a solid presence with a 1.50 ERA over six innings pitched.

The Cubs passed on re-signing the free agency-eligible Pomeranz over possible fears of regression, but were fine with picking him up now on a minor league contract in hopes of a second career rebirth in Chicago.

Given the stress and strain caused by the mass wave of injury affecting the pitching staff, bringing back the former Cub for a second go was pretty much a “nothing to lose” no-brainer.

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