"In 2024, Porter Hodge was ascendant. The hard-throwing righty began the season in Double-A and finished the year as the big league Cubs closer. He wound up tossing 43.0 big league innings with a 1.88 ERA (2.71 xERA, 2.75 FIP) while saving nine games. Because of that, Hodge went into the 2025 season as a potential closing candidate for Craig Counsell's Cubs and was even getting nods as one of the best breakout relief options in the entire league."
"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. That left us completely guessing at what the plan was for him this season and if he could climb that mountain yet again. But now he's reportedly dealing with a right elbow flexor strain, which is different from either of his 2025 injuries, but certainly not a more encouraging type of issue."
Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks, both Cubs pitchers with previous upside, will start the season on the Injured List. Hodge had an impressive 2024, finishing as the Cubs closer with a 1.88 ERA across 43 innings and nine saves, positioning him as a potential closer candidate for 2025. However, his 2025 season was derailed by multiple injuries including a left oblique strain and right shoulder impingement, resulting in poor performance across both minor and major league levels. Now facing a right elbow flexor strain, Hodge will be shut down from throwing for several weeks. Wicks similarly has shown competence and upside at the major league level but continues to struggle with recurring injuries.
Read at Bleacher Nation
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