Chicago Cubs News: Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jordan Wicks on radar for September Call-Up

Reinforcements may be on the way for the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs scored a dramatic walk-off victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday but the news of the day surrounded the status of starting pitcher Marcus Stroman.

The Cubs announced on Wednesday that Stroman suffered a fractured cartilage in his rib and that the timetable for his return is not known at this time. Initial speculation has placed a six-week timeline on Stroman's potential return to the Cubs' rotation but there is also a chance that the veteran starting pitcher will not return this season.

Cubs' manager David Ross appears to be leaning toward veteran starting pitcher Drew Smyly returning to the starting rotation but the front office may be preparing for a different scenario.

Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reported on Thursday that the Cubs have not ruled out the idea of pitching prospect Jordan Wicks being a part of the team's pitching staff as they make a push for the postseason.

"It’s also talking about prospects as specific pieces to help the major-league club right now, and not anointing them as future franchise saviors. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jordan Wicks are squarely on the radar as the Cubs try to map out the final 42 games of the season and plan for a playoff run."

- The Athletic

Wicks has a 3.81 ERA through his first six starts for the Iowa Cubs at the Triple-A level. Of the Cubs' top three pitching prospects--Wicks, Ben Brown, and Cade Horton--Wicks probably has the lowest ceiling but the Cubs may see value in him being another lefty that they can add to their mix of pitchers at the Major League level.

Oh, you didn't think we were just going to gloss over Mooney also namedropping Pete Crow-Armstrong as a potential call-up, did you?

Crow-Armstrong has been dominating at the Triple-A level and we mentioned on Wednesday how he is quickly emerging as the likely position player prospect that the team will add in September when rosters expand.

With there no longer being a waiver deadline at the end of August, Major League Baseball teams that are in contention will need to get creative in September when rosters expand. For the Cubs, having the ability to call on top prospects such as Crow-Armstrong and Wicks may be the boost they need to secure a postseason berth.

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