Jordan Wicks Scratched, Christopher Morel Says He Feels ‘Good’ After Tumble

The injury bug hanging around the Cubs must be a mosquito because it just keeps coming back and buzzing in their collective ear even when it’s not biting. Justin Steele, Julian Merryweather, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Seiya Suzuki, and Cody Bellinger are all currently on the IL and several active players have previously spent time on the shelf this season. And though we don’t yet know the fates of Jordan Wicks and Christopher Morel, both are now dealing with something.

Morel left Saturday’s game after making a catch on the run and tumbling over Alexander Canario, landing hard on his elbows. He managed to hold onto the ball and walked off unassisted after PJ Mainville, the Cubs’ director of medical services, checked on him. The initial outlook is that he should avoid a stay on the IL, though he’s still considered day-to-day.

Christopher Morel left today’s game following this play. pic.twitter.com/WbtDpOuyyq

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 27, 2024

“A little banged-up, but I feel good,” Morel told reporters after the game via interpreter.

The situation with Wicks is a little less clear after he was scratched from Sunday’s start due to forearm tightness. That can sometimes be a precursor to a much more significant malady and everyone’s got their antennae up in light of the injury epidemic ravaging the league’s pitchers, but it could just as well be a little bit of nothing. Steele hit the IL with a forearm strain last season and missed a little over two weeks, so let’s hope this is even less significant.

As well as the Cubs have played despite the early attrition, they can ill afford to keep losing key players at this rate.