Jordan Hicks Apr 21, 2018; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks (49) pitches during the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
COVID-19MLBBy Matt Clapp on

St. Louis Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks is the latest player to opt out of the 2020 MLB season, “citing pre-existing health concerns,” according to the Cardinals.

Hicks underwent Tommy John surgery last June, and the Cardinals hoped that he could return to their bullpen by August. However, he’s also a Type-1 diabetic, which puts him at higher risk for COVID-19. In a statement on Twitter, Hicks wrote that he hopes to use his “platform to create more awareness for the diabetic community.”

Additionally, as a high-risk individual, Hicks will still receive his full prorated salary for the shortened 2020 season.

So, add everything up, and this is a pretty easy decision for Hicks: he gets to stay home as a high-risk individual during a pandemic, he gets to extend his rehab from Tommy John surgery and hopefully be a full-go for the 2021 season, and he gets paid anyway.

But it’s a big loss for the Cardinals.

Hicks had the highest velocity in the majors last season, averaging 101.0 mph on his fastball according to Statcast. The right-hander shocked the baseball world when he made the Cardinals’ 25-man roster out of spring training in 2018, despite never pitching past A-ball. He went on to record six saves and put together a 3.59 ERA. And in 2019 (before going down with the arm injury), he recorded 14 saves in 15 opportunities and had a 3.14 ERA. He also showed off an improved slider and a splitter to go with his ridiculous velocity, and it appeared he was set to really break out.

It’s unclear who will be the Cardinals’ closer in 2020, with Giovany Gallegos (but he’s currently missing from camp), Carlos Martinez (but the Cardinals may want him to start), and Ryan Helsley likely in the mix.

Related:

Dodgers SP David Price is the latest MLB player — and biggest name — to opt out of the 2020 season

MLB players opting out of the 2020 season so far include Ryan Zimmerman, Joe Ross, and Mike Leake

Yankees’ Clint Frazier and Astros’ Aledmys Diaz intend to wear mask during games

71 MLB players and 12 staffers have tested positive for COVID-19 since June 27

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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