Wick could have added competition for the closer role with the team adding Chris Martin on Tuesday, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

EDGE Analysis

Wick only has 11 career saves in four seasons at the MLB level, so he's far from an established closer. Martin has mostly worked in a setup role himself, but he at least gives the Cubs another veteran option if Wick falters. The latter could help his cause with a strong start to the season. Wick posted a middling 4.30 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 23 innings in 2021, though he was able to rack up 29 strikeouts as well.

Wick's hold on the Cubs' closer job appears to be safer than expected after top rival Codi Heuer announced on his personal Instagram page Tuesday that he'd undergone arm surgery.

EDGE Analysis

The exact nature of Heuer's surgery is not yet clear, but he'll almost certainly miss a significant part of the upcoming season and could be out through the middle of 2023 if the procedure he underwent was Tommy John surgery. Wick looked like the favorite even before Heuer's injury, as he saved five games down the stretch last season, though his 4.30 ERA and 14.0 percent walk rate don't make him look particularly safe in the role. While Heuer seemed perhaps the most poised to take the job from him, other alternatives such as Brad Wieck and Manuel Rodriguez still remain. The Cubs could also add more bullpen help once the lockout ends.

Wick fired a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one walk while striking out two to earn the save in the win over the Cardinals on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Wick entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead. After blowing the save in his last two opportunities, he successfully held the lead Saturday for his fifth save of the season. The 28-year-old has a 4.30 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP with 29 strikeouts in 23 innings. He has three straight scoreless appearances for just the third time this season.

Wick allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while retiring just two batters in Sunday's win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Wick got the ninth inning in a non-save situation with the Cubs up 6-2, but he quickly got into trouble and ended up getting pulled with the bases loaded and two runs already coming across. Michael Rucker then recorded the final out to earn his first career MLB save. Wick has now had consecutive rough outings, as he allowed four runs to take a blown save and the loss Friday. He's still the team's primary closer for now, though manager David Ross may turn to some other options to finish the season.

Wick (0-1) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks over 0.2 innings and took the loss Friday against the Brewers. He did strike out two batters in the outing.

EDGE Analysis

Wick entered to begin the eighth trying to protect a one-run lead and failed in his pursuit. The right-hander struck out two of the first three batters he faced but couldn't finish the job. He allowed a base hit to knot the game at five and then loaded the bases before Kolten Wong drove in two more. Wick was then relieved of his duties and was charged with another run after the Brewers capitalized on a wild pitch from Dillon Maples. Friday's meltdown was pretty uncharacteristic of Wick, who came in with five straight scoreless appearances and had 12:2 K:BB over that span. The 28-year-old now owns a 4.15 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB over 17.1 innings. He should still be the top option to close for the Cubs despite Friday's ugly outcome.

Wick struck out the side to record the save in Tuesday's win over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Wick needed 15 pitches (11 for strikes) to mow down the Phillies in order and record his fourth save of the season. Three of those saves have come this month, as Wick seems to be picking up steam after making a belated season debut Aug. 10 due to an oblique injury. Based on recent results, it looks like the 28-year-old has emerged as the team's top option at closer, with Codi Heuer and Manuel Rodriguez also in the mix.

Wick fired two scoreless innings to pick up his third save of the season Sunday against the Pirates. He did not allow a hit but walked and struck out two batters each.

EDGE Analysis

Wick took the mound in the eighth with a three-run lead and was able to hold the Pirates off the board the rest of the way. He pitched a quick 1-2-3 inning and then worked around two walks in the ninth to close it out. Wick has picked up all three of his saves over his last four appearances since Aug. 31 and owns a 3.09 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 11.2 innings since returning from the 60-day injured list Aug. 10.

Wick struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-5 win over Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old's clean inning was a solid bounce-back effort after he blew a save Thursday against this same Pittsburgh team. Wick has a 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB across 9.2 innings this season while adding two saves, a hold and a blown save. He's worked his way into the Cubs' closer committee for the final month of the season.

Wick fired a perfect ninth inning, striking out two to earn the save in the win over the Twins on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Wick entered the game with a two-run lead in the ninth inning. He retired the side and struck out the final two batters. After trading Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox, the closing role has been open with nine different Cubs all recording one save. This was Wick's first opportunity of the season as he missed the majority of the year with an oblique injury. He has a 3.52 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in just 7.2 innings.

Wick (oblique) was activated off the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wick was supposed to be one of Craig Kimbrel's top setup men this season but wound up being sidelined for the majority of the season. He returns to a team that dealt not only Kimbrel but several other key pieces at the deadline, which could lead to a wide-open closer competition down the stretch. Wick has a chance to move into the role, as he has six career saves to go along with a 3.20 ERA in 59 career major-league innings.