Rowan

Wick

Wick was only with the Braves for a few days before being released last week. He’s quickly latched on with Toronto as extra organizational relief depth. The 30-year-old former Cubs closer hasn’t pitched in the majors this season after recording nine saves last year. He’s a Canadian native, so at least he gets to go home again, if he does make it back to the big leagues.

Atlanta continues to stockpile relief depth at the minor-league level, with the former Cubs stopper becoming the latest to join the fold. The 30-year-old righty struggled this season at the Triple-A level and hasn’t pitched in the majors after collecting nine saves last year for Chicago.

Wick had nine saves for the Cubs last season and 20 since joining the team in 2019, but he failed to win a bullpen spot this spring and had struggled mightily in Triple-A, posting an 8.60 ERA in 30 1/3 innings. He’s now a free agent.

The right-hander slipped through waivers unclaimed and will continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Cubs. The 30-year-old hurler registered a 4.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 7/5 K/BB ratio over 6 2/3 innings during Cactus League competition.

The deal is reportedly worth $1.55 million. Wick, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time, posted a 4.22 ERA, nine saves, and 69/29 K/BB ratio over 64 innings for the Cubs in 2022. The 30-year-old figures to play a late-inning role for Chicago again next season.

Brandon Hughes, the Cubs’ most reliable reliever of late, set him up by retiring all four batters he faced tonight. Hughes is probably the best bet for saves in the Cubs pen the rest of the way, but it’d certainly be a good thing for the team if Wick could step up.

At least Wick had company in his misery today, as all four Cubs relievers gave up runs. That includes Brandon Hughes, who is challenging Wick for the closer’s role. Hughes gave up the tying run in the seventh, and Wick surrendered the go-ahead run in the eighth. Wick remains a threat for saves in Chicago, but the bullpen is a complete and total mess after losing its top four relievers at the trade deadline. Wick has pitched two days in a row, so he should get Monday off now. Hughes probably needs a blow, too, considering that his appearances today was his fifth in seven days.

Asked to protect a one-run lead, Wick disposed of the Nats in order to record his eighth save of the season. It comes a day after he had a hiccup in a non-save situation. Wick has been scored upon in just one of his last 13 appearances and looks like the clear favorite for saves right now for the Northsiders.

Presumed closer Rowan Wick came into this one in the seventh inning with two on and the Cubs nursing a two-run lead and got out of the frame. He then came back out for the eighth and served up a couple solo homers to give up the lead. The Cubs eventually re-took the lead in the top of the 11th innings with a couple runs before Leiter closed things out with a 1-2-3 bottom of the frame. Wick had been pitching very well of late before this appearance and still seems like the clear favorite for saves in the Cubs’ bullpen.

Wick was called upon to protect a two-run lead in the final frame and needed just 19 pitches (12 strikes) to spin a scoreless frame with a pair of strikeouts. The 29-year-old righty has reeled off 11 consecutive scoreless appearances since July 10. He’s also converted seven of his nine save opportunities this season.