The Chicago Cubs announced that Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks will begin the 2026 season on the Injured List, dealing a setback to the bullpen and pitching depth. While this news is unlikely to drastically alter the Cubs’ early season outlook, it is disappointing considering the potential both players showed in previous years. This latest Porter Hodge injury update underscores ongoing challenges for the team’s pitching staff as they look to recover from recent absences.
Porter Hodge’s Injury Details and 2025 Season Recap
Porter Hodge emerged as a rising talent in 2024, beginning the year with the Double-A affiliate before closing the season as the Cubs’ big league closer. He posted an impressive 1.88 ERA over 43 innings, saving nine games and establishing himself as a reliable bullpen arm. Expectations for 2025 were high, with Hodge viewed as a strong candidate to close games for the Cubs and one of the better breakout relievers in the league.
However, the 2025 season was derailed by injuries and inconsistent performance. Hodge made three stints on the Injured List: first on May 20 due to a left oblique strain, followed by a July 9 placement for a right shoulder impingement. His Minor League stats reflected these struggles, with a 6.61 ERA across 16.1 innings, while his time in the majors saw a 6.27 ERA over 33 innings.
This offseason, Hodge was diagnosed with a right elbow flexor strain, a new injury separate from those in 2025, raising concerns about his readiness for the start of the season. According to reporting by Elise Menaker,
“Hodge didn’t feel right coming out of his last outing, so he had testing done and will be shut down from throwing for a couple of weeks.”
– Elise Menaker
The Cubs are hopeful that Hodge can regain full health through recovery and time in Iowa, bolstering the 2026 pitching staff with the form he demonstrated during his breakout 2024 season.
Jordan Wicks Faces Setbacks With Radial Nerve Irritation
Jordan Wicks, unlike Hodge, was not widely expected to crack the major league roster immediately out of spring camp. Nevertheless, he had flashed promise and ability in previous big league outings. Unfortunately, recurring injuries have hindered his progress and raised questions about his long-term durability and effectiveness at the highest level.
Wicks’ issues appear linked to the physical demands of pitching with increased velocity and more advanced secondary pitches. His breakout at the major league level came alongside a notable increase in velocity, which may have contributed to subsequent arm troubles. This season, he is contending with radial nerve irritation in his pitching arm, which has sidelined him during spring training.
Elise Menaker reports that Wicks is expected to return to pitching activities in mid-to-late March, with the hope that he will soon rejoin the rotation in Iowa. Although the Cubs have considerable starting pitching depth ahead of him, Wicks represents a potential cost-controlled option who, if healthy, could fill a mid-rotation or back-end role, especially as several major league starters head toward free agency after the 2026 season.
Jonathan Long’s Recovery Progress and Potential Role
Outfielder Jonathan Long, who suffered an unusual injury at first base during spring training that forced him to withdraw from his World Baseball Classic duties, is showing steady progress in his recovery. Medical assessments indicate he may return to game action as early as next weekend.
Long remains a promising, though less heralded, prospect with a strong offensive profile. Last season, in his first stretch at Triple-A, he batted .305/.404/.479 with a 131 weighted runs created plus (wRC+), showcasing potential as a complementary bat for the Cubs in 2026. Although unlikely to have secured a roster spot coming out of camp—even considering Tyler Austin’s injury—Long could be a midseason addition to the Chicago lineup depending on team needs and his health.
Impact and Outlook for Cubs Pitching and Roster Depth
The starts to the 2026 season for Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks on the Injured List mean the Cubs will need to rely on other bullpen arms and rotation candidates in the early going. Hodge’s injury is particularly unfortunate given his 2024 performance and the high expectations for his 2025 rebound that did not materialize. His health will be crucial for Chicago’s bullpen stability moving forward.
Wicks’ setbacks also dampen the potential pitching depth that the Cubs could have counted on, especially as the organization prepares for a transitional period with several starting pitchers set to enter free agency. The team’s ability to develop and recover young arms like Wicks and Hodge will be a critical factor in shaping their competitiveness in 2026 and beyond.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Long’s return adds some optimism for the Cubs’ offensive future, with his hitting profile offering potential value as a depth piece during the season. His progress from injury and development at Triple-A will bear watching as the year unfolds.
Cubs injury updates per Craig Counsell:
Porter Hodge (right flexor strain) and Jordan Wicks (left forearm inflammation) will start the season on the IL.
Hodge didn't feel right coming out of his last outing, so he had testing done and will be shut down from throwing for a…
— Elise Menaker (@EliseMenaker) March 8, 2026
