Cubs manager David Ross said Sunday that Wick (oblique) is expected to transfer his rehab assignment from High-A South Bend to Triple-A Iowa this week, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wick will throw in front of the Cubs' coaching and training staffs Monday at Wrigley Field before the team formally signs off on him moving on to the final stop of his rehab assignment. The right-hander was sharp over his three rehab outings at South Bend, striking out seven over three scoreless frames while allowing only one baserunner. Wick has spent the entire season on the injured list due to a left oblique strain.

Wick (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A South Bend on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Wick has been out all season while recovering from an oblique strain. That suggests he'll need a fair number of rehab appearances before being activated from the 60-day injured list, though the Cubs have yet to specify exactly when they expect him to return.

Manager David Ross said May 25 that Wick (oblique) began a throwing program, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wick isn't known to have advanced to mound work at this stage of his rehab program, so the right-hander may still be a week or more away from heading to the minors for game action. The 28-year-old was one of the Cubs' top late-inning arms in 2020, posting a 3.12 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 19 appearances while picking up four saves and five holds. Whenever he returns from his oblique strain, Wick will likely work in a setup capacity in front of closer Craig Kimbrel.

Wick (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Wick dealt with an oblique issue throughout spring training and has been on the injured list since the start of the regular season. While the right-hander has been throwing at the Cubs' alternate training site, he'll require more time before he's cleared to make his season debut. A timetable for his return hasn't yet been established.

Wick was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although Wick won't be ready for Opening Day due to an injury that he dealt with throughout camp, he recently completed a 25-pitch bullpen session. It's not yet clear when he'll be cleared to face live hitters, but he appears to be nearing full health despite his placement on the injured list. Brandon Workman could step into a setup role for the Cubs while Wick is sidelined.

Wick (ribs) completed a 25-pitch bullpen session in the past couple days, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old entered camp battling an intercostal injury but appears to be nearing full health. Wick may not be ready for Opening Day since he still has yet to face live hitters, but he could be cleared for game action shortly thereafter.

Wick (ribs) advanced from long toss to mound work this week, throwing one 10-pitch bullpen session, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wick arrived at camp with an intercostal injury, and while he's continued to make progress, he's probably out of time to avoid a trip to the injured list with Opening Day less than two weeks away. Assuming his effectiveness returns along with his health, he should be one of the top setup men in the Cubs' bullpen, as he owns a 2.66 ERA in 50.2 innings over the last two years. That's a role that could have some fantasy value this season, as Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel hasn't been anything close to reliable in recent seasons.

Cubs manager David Ross said Sunday that Wick (rib) has increased his throwing distance off flat ground to 105 feet, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Ross noted that Wick is making good progress over the past two weeks, the skipper was unwilling to speculate on when the right-hander might be ready to pitch in spring games, according to Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago. Given that Wick will still need to complete multiple bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions before being cleared for his Cactus League debut, he looks unlikely to be ready to go for Opening Day.

Manager David Ross said Thursday that Wick (ribs) played catch within the past few days and felt good afterward, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wick has been dealing with an intercostal injury to begin spring training, and the Cubs have been bringing him along slowly as a result. Ross said that he got a lot of "positive feedback" from Wick after he played catch, but he still didn't have a timetable for his return. The right-hander is still a long shot to be ready for Opening Day, but he appears to be progressing well in his recovery. He's expected to serve as a top setup man for Chicago once he's healthy.

Wick believes it's unlikely that he'll start the season on time given how the Cubs have cautiously managed his intercostal injury, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wick lines up as one of the top deputies to Craig Kimbrel at the back of the Cubs' bullpen this season, a role which could certainly lead to saves given Kimbrel's shakiness in recent years. He now isn't expected to fill that role at the beginning of the campaign, though there haven't been any indications that he's set for a particularly long absence. The issue reportedly is still lingering from last season, however, which could be cause for concern.