St. Louis Cardinals News: Jordan Hicks opts out of 2020 season

The St. Louis Cardinals will be without Jordan Hicks for 2020 as the fireballer will be sitting out the 2020 season.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ highly regarded closer, Jordan Hicks, will be sitting out the 2020 season, amid concerns over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Hicks is diabetic and thus fits the description of an underlying condition. People with underlying medical conditions are among those considered to be the most “at-risk” of serious illness.

Because of this, it makes perfect sense for Jordan Hicks to opt-out of the shortened 2020 season. He was already on the mend from Tommy John surgery and would likely have been eased back into things as the season progressed.

Although Hicks is the first, and so far only, player for the St. Louis Cardinals to choose to sit out the season, it is possible that more might decide to do the same. We’ve seen numerous players around the league choose to opt-out of playing and it is an understandable choice.

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Cardinals fans often have the title of “best fans in baseball,” and it is well deserved. I ask that fans please understand and respect Hicks’ decision. I imagine it was a hard choice to make and in the end, I’m glad that he made the decision that felt right to him.

Again, I ask for people to try to understand his decision and not be mad or frustrated. The Cardinals have suitable options for the 9th inning role, but this goes beyond baseball. No one can fault the young man for looking out for his health. That should always be a priority.

Hicks took to social media to announce his decision to fans.

The flame-throwing Hicks was in the midst of his best season yet in 2019 before he got hurt. His sub-1.000 WHIP and 3.21 FIP (3.14 ERA) was no fluke. The 23-year old was throwing some with the team as he tried to make his return but now will have plenty of time to get himself as ready as he can be for 2021.

Baseball is just around the corner, but this promises to be a season unlike any we’ve seen. While Hicks will not be on the field for this season, fans should look forward to his return and hope for a normal and uninterrupted 2021.