St. Louis Cardinals: Jordan Hicks likely out for the season

With Alex Reyes succeeding at closer and the injury cloud hanging overhead, maybe the the St. Louis Cardinals should d ease expectations for Jordan Hicks.

Jordan Hicks is electric. He captured the imagination of St. Louis Cardinals fans and baseball fans alike with his ability to eclipse triple digits on his fastball. However, after missing all of the 2020 season after opting out and recovering from an injury, his 2021 season was also cut short.

When Hicks returns, which may or may not be this season, it’s unlikely he will immediately be handed back the reigns to his previous role as the team’s closer.

Why not? The easy answer is Alex Reyes. Reyes has been absolutely spectacular as the Cardinals’ closer so far in 2021. He’s been healthy and successful, despite a troublesome walk rate. Hicks might have a hard time prying the closer role from him when he does return and the latest signs are indicating that’s unlikely to be this season.

Even though Reyes insists on being a starting pitcher, I think keeping him in the closer role is a no-brainer decision. He’s been able to stay healthy, the Cardinals are able to monitor his innings easier, and now with Hicks’ uncertain return timetable, trying to take him from closing to starting seems unnecessary.

It might be time to assess expectations for Jordan Hicks moving forward. He can still come back healthy and be an important part of the bullpen. It’s just a stretch to expect him to return to being a top-notch closer, in my opinion. It could happen but what will his velocity be like? What will be his innings target after missing the better part of two seasons?

The Cardinals could have something of a closer controversy, for lack of a better term. Both pitchers have succeeded in the role and both could be ready to roll for 2022. Much will depend on if the Cardinals want Reyes to start and also on Hicks’ injury status.

Ideally, Reyes stays as closer and continues building on his career season that earned him an All-Star appearance. If Hicks comes back healthy the Cardinals could have a dangerous one-two combo at the back of their bullpen. Add in Gallegos and the bullpen has the potential to be close to unstoppable.

That is certainly a possibility but it depends on two things, Reyes sticking as the closer and Hicks being healthy and fairly unlimited in 2022. Both could happen. But the St. Louis Cardinals should be prepared to face the reality that the Jordan Hicks of 2019 may not be the same version we see the next time he takes a big-league mound.