PITTSBURGH — The Chicago Cubs have promoted 2021 first-round pick Jordan Wicks.
The left-hander will make his major-league debut Saturday night, starting against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Right-hander Javier Assad has been pushed back one day and will start Sunday’s series finale.
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Right-handed reliever Michael Fulmer was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain, retroactive to Friday, as the corresponding move for Wicks.
Wicks, who will turn 24 on Friday, is rated as the Cubs’ No. 8 prospect by Baseball America and No. 10 by MLB.com. The Cubs selected Wicks with the 21st pick in 2021. He becomes the first player from the team’s 2021 draft class to reach the majors.
Wicks posted a 3.82 ERA in seven starts with Triple-A Iowa after beginning the season at Double-A Tennessee, with whom he started 13 games and owned a 3.39 ERA.
A big-league opportunity for Wicks opened when the Cubs needed a starter because of their decision to move veteran lefty Drew Smyly back to the bullpen after a bad outing Tuesday in Detroit.
