Jordan Wicks Will Start Tuesday in Pittsburgh, Where He Made Stellar MLB Debut PITTSBURGH — Jordan Wicks, the Cubs’ left-hander, will start Tuesday against the Pirates at PNC Park, the same venue where he made his major-league debut in August 2023. The 26-year-old pitcher will replace injured starter Edward Cabrera in the rotation, marking his first start of the 2026 season. Wicks’ return to Pittsburgh is a nostalgic moment for the player, who described the stadium as a “cool park to debut in” and recalled the excitement of the occasion. Wicks’ debut on August 26, 2023, was a memorable one. He faced the Pirates in a game that ended in a 10-6 Cubs victory. The first batter he encountered, Ke’Bryan Hayes, hit his second pitch of the game down the left-field line for a home run, quickly turning the game into a loud, electric atmosphere. Despite the early challenge, Wicks settled in, retiring the next 15 Pirates batters he faced and striking out nine. He left the game with a 2-1 lead and was credited as the winning pitcher. His performance earned praise from Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy, who made a deliberate visit to the mound during the game. Wicks remembered the moment as “the greatest mound visit ever,” though Hottovy clarified it was more of a friendly reminder than a strategic adjustment. Hottovy told Wicks to trust his mechanics and focus on his strengths, particularly his changeup. “I told him: ‘McCutchen is a smart hitter. He walked on a really good changeup. You keep doing the same thing, the rest of the lineup, they want to swing,’” Hottovy recalled. Wicks followed the advice, striking out the side in the second inning and retiring all 15 batters he faced.#pittsburgh #cubs #pnc_park #jordan_wicks #tommy_hottovy
