Jordan Hicks, after being relegated to the San Francisco Giants’ bullpen after failing to establish himself in the starting rotation, is ready to “turn the page” for now, but does not give up on his aspiration to be a starter.
Hicks, who mostly pitched as a reliever during his five seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Toronto Blue Jays, signed a four-year, $44 million contract with San Francisco before the 2024 season, largely because the team was willing to convert him to a full-time starter.
After making 20 starts in 2024, Hicks struggled, posting a 6.55 ERA in his first nine starts this season, before that experiment was shelved.
No matter where I am, I want to win. I think that’s the competitive mentality in me. We have a really good team here. Things weren’t going as we wanted with me as a starting pitcher. I just have to turn the page for now and go to work in the bullpen.
Jordan Hicks
I don’t give up. If the opportunity arises, I will gladly take it. At the same time, I really don’t have much control over the situations. Yes, I want to be a starting pitcher. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do in the Major Leagues. It’s not the time now.
Jordan Hicks
Manager Bob Melvin pointed to Hicks’ sinker as a possible reason for his lack of success.
He had some bad luck with him. But the longer he’s there, the more comfortable he’ll get in the bullpen, I think he’ll start to see more strikeouts.
Bob Melvin
Hayden Birdsong took Hicks’ place in the rotation on Tuesday, while Hicks made his first appearance as a reliever of the season on Monday night.
In his seven seasons in the Major Leagues, Hicks, known for his sinking fastball that deviates with unusual movement for its velocity, has 33 career saves, 53 holds, and a 4.24 ERA with 392 strikeouts.
Hayden was fantastic for us in the bullpen as well. Now that he’s starting, being able to put someone there [Hicks] who has had a history of being very successful in the bullpen, we don’t lose confidence that way either, that’s for sure.
Bob Melvin
