JORDAN HICKS NEWS

Secures fourth save Hicks (illness) picked up the save in Sunday's 7-5 win over the Cubs, allowing one run on one hit over one inning. He struck out two and didn't record a walk.

Impact Hicks was deemed unavailable for the first contest in London due to an illness, but he was cleared ahead of Sunday's matchup and was called upon in the ninth inning with a three-run lead. Hicks worked around a leadoff double from Nick Madrigal to record his fourth save over the past eight days, running away with the closing job since Ryan Helsley (forearm) hit the injured list. Helsley isn't close to returning, so Hicks, who owns a 14.3 K/9 through 30 appearances, is a must-roster player in all fantasy formats moving forward.

JUNE 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available Sunday Hicks (illness) is available for Sunday's game versus the Cubs in London, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Impact The flame-throwing righty was unavailable for Saturday's contest due to an illness, but he likely wouldn't have pitched regardless with St. Louis losing 9-1. Hicks has recorded the Cardinals' past three saves and appears to be the club's primary closing option with Ryan Helsley (forearm) on the shelf and not close to being activated, per John Denton of MLB.com. Giovanny Gallegos could also be a factor in the ninth-inning mix.

JUNE 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable due to illness Hicks will not be available for Saturday's game against the Cubs due to illness, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Jordan Walker was forced out of the lineup with an illness Wednesday, and Hicks is now facing a similar issue. It should be a short-term absence, but any save opportunity would likely be handled by Giovanny Gallegos on Saturday.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Third straight day with save Hicks picked up the save in Monday's 8-6 victory over Washington, allowing one hit during a scoreless inning. He struck out one and did not record a walk.

Impact With Ryan Helsley (forearm) on the injured list, Hicks has locked down saves in three consecutive days. The flamethrowing right-hander started his career as a closer, but he struggled to stay healthy and had been limited to set-up duties when available. Nonetheless, Hicks is healthy now and has a clear path to late-inning opportunities, so he should be rostered in basically every fantasy format. Giovanny Gallegos figures to get some ninth-inning work with Helsley unavailable too, but it appears to be Hicks' job to lose for now.

JUNE 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back-to-back days with saves Hicks picked up the save Sunday against the Mets, allowing one hit over a scoreless inning. He did not record a strikeout or walk.

Impact With Ryan Helsley (forearm) on the injured list, Hicks has locked down saves in back-to-back days. Giovanny Gallegos also figures to get some ninth-inning work with Helsley unavailable, but it appears it's Hicks' job to lose for now. The right-hander started his career as a closer, but he's struggled to stay healthy and was mostly limited to step-up duties when available.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dominant in first save of year Hicks struck out the side in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 5-3 win over the Mets. He also hit a batter and threw a wild pitch.

Impact Giovanny Gallegos was expected to step into the closer role for the Cardinals while Ryan Helsley (forearm) was on the shelf, but instead Gallegos worked the eighth inning Saturday against the middle of the Mets' order while Hicks handled the ninth. The save was his first since 2019, as injuries and a failed conversion to starting took him out of the team's high-leverage mix, but it seems the flamethrowing right-hander will get another chance to help lock up wins for St. Louis. After a bumpy first month of the season, Hicks has a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 28:11 K:BB through 18 innings since the beginning of May.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collects first win Hicks (1-3) allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the win Wednesday over the Rangers.

Impact Since a three-run blow-up versus the Tigers on May 5, Hicks has been excellent with 12.1 scoreless innings with an 18:4 K:BB. He was able to get the win in a 1-0 contest Wednesday, keeping the game scoreless in the seventh inning before Alec Burleson put the Cardinals ahead in the eighth. Hicks is now at a 3.91 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 40:18 K:BB through 25.1 innings overall, but his recent work has helped him reclaim some work in high-leverage spots. He's added five holds and two blown saves in 24 appearances.

JUNE 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes another loss Hicks (0-3) took the loss and a blown save Friday versus the Tigers, allowing three runs on a hit and two walks with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning. He also hit a batter.

Impact Hicks had shown improvements over recent weeks, allowing just one unearned run -- which led to a loss -- in his last 6.2 innings. That was all gone in a messy seventh inning Friday, which saw him throw just 14 of 26 pitches for strikes. His control issues have cropped up again with five walks over his last three appearances. Hicks is at a 7.62 ERA, 2.38 WHIP and 22:14 K:BB through 13 innings this season.

MAY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Handed second loss Hicks (0-2) allowed an unearned run on two hits and struck out four without walking a batter, but he took the loss Wednesday versus the Giants.

Impact A two-out fielding error by Lars Nootbaar and a subsequent wild pitch from Hicks allowed the Giants' Mitch Haniger to score the go-ahead run. Hicks has been used in low-leverage situations for a little over a week, but he entered a tied game on a three-inning scoreless streak and couldn't maintain the lead. The hard-throwing righty trimmed his ERA to 6.97, but he has an awful 2.32 WHIP and a 17:9 K:BB through 10.1 innings. He's issued just one walk over his last five outings, but he's also uncorked two wild pitches in that span and still has some work to do to get his control in line.

APRIL 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will work in low-leverage outings Cardinals manager Oli Marmol told reporters before Sunday's game against the Pirates that Hicks will work in low-leverage situations going forward, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Impact ""We need to figure out a way for [Hicks] to be more effective & usable," Marmol said. "We've got to have a good enough plan to do that, where he's comfortable with it & we feel good about it." Hicks struggled again in a loss to the Pirates on Sunday while allowing three runs -- two earned -- and getting just one out in the process. The hard-throwing reliever now has a 12.71 ERA, 3.35 WHIP and 6:8 K:BB across 5.2 innings. The Cardinals are unable to send Hicks down to Triple-A because of his service time, so he'll have to work through his struggles while a member of the big-league club.

APRIL 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes extra-inning loss Hicks (0-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and struck out one in one-third of an inning, taking the loss Saturday versus the Pirates.

Impact Hicks has often put himself behind the eight-ball in his appearances this season, as he's had trouble retiring the first batter he faces. That was the case Saturday, as Andrew McCutchen took him deep for a two-run home run to begin the 10th inning. Hicks has an awful 12.71 ERA, 3.35 WHIP and 6:8 K:BB across 5.2 innings over 5.2 ininngs. His velocity is as strong as ever, but he hasn't found any way to harness it with control, so Hicks remains an unappealing fantasy option.

APRIL 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Usual flamethrower Hicks shies away from sinker in key moment ST. LOUIS -- To fully understand the lack of confidence struggling Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks has in his sinker -- a pitch he famously...

APRIL 16, 2023 • MLB.COM

McCutchen homers in 10th to help Pirates beat Cardinals 6-3

Andrew McCutchen homered in the 10th inning to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday

APRIL 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Springer's 5 hits help Jays outlast Cards 10-9 in opener

George Springer had five hits and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in three runs as the Toronto Blue Jays beat St. Louis 10-9 despite the Cardinals’ Tyler O’Neill tying a major league r...

MARCH 31, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Holy smoke! Hicks hits 104.6 in spring game With Opening Day mere days away, Cardinals flamethrower Jordan Hicks appears to be more than ready. On Saturday night against the Mets, Hick...

MARCH 26, 2023 • MLB.COM

Mixed results so far Hicks has allowed four earned runs on six hits and five walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings over six Grapefruit League appearances.

Impact Hicks' strikeout potential remains enticing, but the overall results are not where they need to be to feel confident about his ability to fill a high-leverage role. With experience as a starter, there's always the option to stretch Hicks out for long-relief duties, but the right-hander has also had success in the past as a reliever. He's little more than a late-draft dart throw in fantasy given his skill set.

MARCH 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

MLB 26-and-under power rankings: No. 10 St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals check in at No. 10 in our comprehensive ranking of each MLB franchise's 26-and-under talent. Here's why.

MARCH 14, 2023

Appears set for relief role Hicks is expected to earn high-leverage spots as a reliever to begin 2023, Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact Hicks was used as both a starter and a reliever last season, but he was more effective out of the bullpen. The hard-throwing righty has added some weight to get back to where his body is most comfortable, and that should in turn help his durability after he missed time with shoulder, forearm and neck issues in 2022. Manager Oliver Marmol tends to avoid strict roles in the bullpen, so Hicks should join Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos as the Cardinals' top late-inning options.

FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids arbitration with Cardinals Hicks and the Cardinals agreed on a one-year, $1.8375 contract Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Hicks and the team will avoid arbitration after coming to terms on a deal for 2023 on Friday. The right-hander produced a 4.84 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 63 strikeouts and eight holds over 61.1 innings in 35 appearances, including eight starts, with St. Louis last season. Hicks will likely open the 2023 campaign as a setup option ahead of closer Ryan Helsley in the Cardinals' bullpen.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hopkins produces in return, which bodes well for Cardinals

DeAndre Hopkins returned to the Arizona Cardinals after his six-game suspension and provided the offensive boost the team needed

OCTOBER 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cardinals welcome D-Hop back, hope it sparks struggling team

Three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins is back on the field after serving his six-game suspension

OCTOBER 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cardinals closer Helsley OK for wild-card round vs Phillies

Hard-throwing closer Ryan Helsley is available for the St. Louis Cardinals for the wild-card series against the Phillies

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

MLB velocity, shifts set records; average lowest since 1968

Higher velocity and increased shifts led to the major league batting average dropping to

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Makes return from IL The Cardinals will activate Hicks (neck) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Impact Hicks is expected to make an one-inning appearance in relief behind starter Matthew Liberatore in Wednesday's regular-season finale in Pittsburgh, and assuming he checks out fine following the outing, the 26-year-old right-hander will likely have a spot on the Cardinals' roster for the wild-card round of the playoffs. Across 60.1 innings with St. Louis in 2022, Hicks has generated a 4.92 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 63:35 K:BB while collecting eight holds.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pittsburgh Pirates host the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday

The Pittsburgh Pirates host the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS