ST. LOUIS — Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol gave fans quite a bit to talk about ahead of opening day on Thursday with the announcement of his pitching staff.
Marmol told the media at the Cardinals' work out day that Jordan Hicks would be the team's No. 5 starter to open the 2022 season.
Hicks will make his first career start on Tuesday against Mike Matheny and the Kansas City Royals in St. Louis.
"We've talked about it for a while. Jordan is now healthy. A couple things came to mind when we reported for spring. No. 1 his health. No. 2 making sure he felt in control of his outings every time he was out there and not speeding things up. And No. 3 was a maturity thing, are you going to be able to handle starting every five days and the in-between time making sure you're ready both physically and mentally for that start. And he's more ready than ever and we're looking forward to it," Marmol said on Wednesday.
Marmol said Hicks would be limited to start, but that he would be out there every five days.
Hicks is back in 2022 after suffering a partial tear in his right elbow after pitching just 10 innings in 2021. Hicks missed the 60-game COVID season in 2020 after opting out due recovery from Tommy John surgery he underwent in 2019 and COVID concerns as a diabetic.
Hicks is one of the hardest throwers in baseball, with pitches regularly clocked above 100 miles per hour.
In spring training games this year, Hicks allowed three hits, two walks, two earned runs and struck out six in three innings.
The Cardinals staff will be rounded out by Adam Wainwright, Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz and Dakota Hudson. Drew VerHagen, Aaron Brooks and Jake Woodford could also be long-relief options out of the bullpen for the team.