Jordan Hicks is a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher who has been with the St. Louis Cardinals since 2018. In his first two seasons with the team, Hicks established himself as a key member of the bullpen, thanks to his impressive fastball and ability to induce ground balls.
However, in the 2022 season, Hicks struggled with injuries, which limited his playing time and effectiveness. Despite these setbacks, Hicks worked hard to recover and get back to his best shape, and his efforts could pay dividends in the 2023 season.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at what happened to Jordan Hicks in the 2022 season, how he is recovering, and what we can expect from him in the future.
2022 Season
During the 2022 season, Jordan Hicks appeared in 29 games for the St. Louis Cardinals, recording a 4.72 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. While his strikeouts per nine innings were a respectable 9.6, he also struggled with his command, walking 6.1 batters per nine innings.
However, Hicks’ season was hampered by multiple injuries that forced him to miss significant playing time.
In April, he was placed on the injured list due to a shoulder injury, and he missed more than a month of action. Later in the season, he experienced forearm tightness, which again landed him on the IL. He also dealt with neck issues in September, which ultimately ended his season early.
As a result of these injuries, Hicks was unable to pitch with his usual effectiveness, and his playing time was limited. He struggled with consistency on the mound, often struggling with his command and surrendering hard-hit balls.
Despite these setbacks, Hicks remained committed to his recovery and focused on getting back to his best form.
Recovery Efforts
Following his injuries in the 2022 season, Jordan Hicks focused on a rigorous rehab program to help him recover and get back to his best form. This included targeted exercises to strengthen his shoulder and forearm, as well as rest and rehabilitation to address his neck issues.
He also worked closely with the Cardinals’ medical staff and trainers to develop a customized program to address his specific needs.
In addition to these rehab efforts, Hicks also added weight to his frame to get back to a more comfortable body size. In an interview, he explained that he had lost weight during his injuries and felt that he needed to put some weight back on to improve his durability on the mound.
By adding muscle mass and improving his overall fitness, Hicks hopes to prevent future injuries and improve his ability to pitch effectively for longer periods of time.
This weight gain could indeed improve Hicks’ durability going forward. With added muscle mass, he may be better able to withstand the physical demands of pitching, particularly as a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher.
Additionally, by returning to a weight that he feels comfortable with, Hicks may be better able to maintain his form and consistency on the mound, which could translate to better results for the Cardinals.
Hicks’ Role in 2023
It remains to be seen exactly how Jordan Hicks will be used by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2023 season. While he has experience both as a starter and reliever, his performance in the past few seasons suggests that he may be better suited to a bullpen role.
As a reliever, Hicks has typically been able to unleash his impressive fastball and generate ground balls, which is a valuable asset for any team.
That being said, if the Cardinals feel that Hicks has made significant strides in his recovery and can handle a starter’s workload, they may opt to give him a shot in the rotation. However, this would likely depend on how he performs in Spring Training and in the early part of the season.
In terms of his effectiveness as a starter vs. reliever, the numbers suggest that Hicks may be better suited to the latter role. In his career as a starter, he has a 3-6 record with a 5.50 ERA, whereas as a reliever, he has a 3.15 ERA and 20 saves.
Of course, these numbers don’t tell the whole story, and it’s possible that Hicks could thrive in a starting role if given the opportunity.
Regardless of his role in 2023, Hicks’ recovery efforts will likely have a significant impact on his performance and playing time. If he is able to stay healthy and improve his durability, he may be able to take on a larger workload and be more effective on the mound.
However, if he continues to struggle with injuries, he may be limited in his playing time and effectiveness.
Jordan Hicks’ Injury and Recovery Status
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 14 | Jordan Hicks was transferred to the 60-day injured list. The specific injury he sustained is unknown. |
| Unknown | Hicks made two rehab starts but did not make an appearance for the Cardinals for the rest of the season. |
| After the season | Hicks was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Glendale Desert Dogs, indicating that he had recovered sufficiently to resume playing in a limited capacity. However, his current injury and recovery status is unknown. |
Note: The table is based on the information provided in the previous response, which does not include the year of the events or the most up-to-date information on Jordan Hicks’ status.
FAQs
What caused Jordan Hicks’ shoulder, forearm, and neck injuries?
There’s no one definitive answer to this question, as injuries can result from a variety of factors, including overuse, poor mechanics, and random accidents. It’s possible that a combination of these factors contributed to Hicks’ injuries.
How long was Jordan Hicks sidelined with his injuries?
Hicks missed a significant amount of playing time during the 2022 season, with his first stint on the injured list beginning in late May and lasting until mid-June. He was placed on the IL again in early July and did not return for the rest of the season.
What steps did Jordan Hicks take to recover from his injuries?
Hicks worked closely with the Cardinals’ medical staff and trainers to develop a customized rehab program. This included targeted exercises to strengthen his shoulder and forearm, as well as rest and rehabilitation to address his neck issues. He also added weight to his frame to get back to a more comfortable body size.
Will Jordan Hicks be fully recovered for the 2023 season?
It’s difficult to say for certain, as recovery from injuries can be a complex and unpredictable process. However, Hicks has been working hard on his rehab and has expressed confidence that he will be ready for the upcoming season. The Cardinals will likely be closely monitoring his progress throughout Spring Training and the early part of the season.
Could Jordan Hicks’ injuries impact his long-term career prospects?
Again, this is difficult to say for certain, as every athlete’s career trajectory is different. However, if Hicks is able to make a full recovery and stay healthy going forward, there’s no reason to believe that his injuries will significantly impact his long-term prospects. He is still a young and talented pitcher with a lot of potential, and the Cardinals will likely continue to rely on him as a key member of their bullpen for years to come.
Conclusion
Jordan Hicks’ 2022 season was plagued by injuries, including shoulder, forearm, and neck issues that forced him to miss significant playing time.
Despite these setbacks, Hicks remained committed to his recovery, focusing on a rigorous rehab program and adding weight to get back to a more comfortable body size. Looking ahead to the 2023 season, it remains to be seen exactly how Hicks will be used by the Cardinals.
While he has experience both as a starter and reliever, his recent performance suggests that he may be better suited to a bullpen role.
Ultimately, his recovery efforts will play a significant role in determining his effectiveness and playing time, and the Cardinals will likely be closely monitoring his progress throughout the season.
