MESA, Ariz. – Things looked bleak for Rowan Wick as he was sidelined due to an intercostal injury, but things seem to be moving in the right direction for the Cubs’ right-hander.
Wick had been dealing with pain on his left side stemming from a left oblique injury he suffered in September. But after head athletic PJ Mainville recently identified the issue with the right-hander, the current treatment program has allowed Wick to do more.
The 28-year-old right-hander has begun a throwing program and will be stretched out to 105 feet starting on Monday. While there’s still no timetable for his return, the progress over the last 10-14 days is a significant improvement.
“He’s on a throwing program and looks really good,” manager David Ross said. “I think he’s in a really good place. He turned a corner a couple of weeks ago. He’s going to be at 105 [feet] tomorrow and we’ve got an off day Tuesday. [He threw] back-to-back days at 90 [feet]. The ball was coming out really good. I’ve talked to him, he feels like he’s in a good place. ... I know he’s letting it rip pretty good.”
“It’s been a good, I’d say last 10 days for Rowan,” pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said. “Really getting more comfortable with what he’s feeling. And Rowan’s such a strong, strong dude. So when he feels good, it looks really good too, because it comes out so easy. Just watching the progression over the last 10 days, makes me feel really confident just about what the next 10 days to two weeks looks like.”
Wick is still unlikely to start the season with the Cubs as the team is still taking things slow, but the improvements over the last two weeks could be the difference between Wick returning in late April and a trip to the 60-day injured list.
“I just think we’re still at a point where he hasn’t even gotten off the mound yet,” Hottovy said. “And being the 14th of March, it would be pretty, pretty tough [to start the season]. But he’s progressing really well, continuing with the throwing program.”
Wick is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA in 50 appearances since joining the Cubs in 2019.
Hoerner scratched with back tightness
Second baseman Nico Hoerner was scratched from Sunday’s game against the Angels with lower back tightness. The 23-year-old infielder is considered day-to-day. Hoerner has had a solid spring and appears to be in the driver seat of the Cubs’ second-base competition.
Hoerner is 9-for-18 this spring with a homer, two stolen bases, four RBIs and four runs scored.
