Cardinals: Oli Marmol finally, mercifully makes huge Jordan Hicks adjustment

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol has made an adjustment to how the St. Louis Cardinals will use Jordan Hicks moving forward.

Jordan Hicks has gotten lots of opportunities this year with the St. Louis Cardinals, coming in to relieve in seven games so far in 2023. His outings have gone entirely poorly, achieving a 12.71 ERA so far. There’s little to grasp at in the realm of positivity about Hicks’ appearances thus far.

There’s far more than just Hicks contributing to the losses, but the Cardinals have won just one of the games he’s appeared in this season. He hasn’t helped.

His pitching is enough to make a manager uneasy bringing him in, and Oli Marmol has decided to make a change with how the team will use him.

Jordan Hicks going to be used in only low-leverage situations for the time being

Oli Marmol told team reporter John Denton that they plan to use Hicks in low-leverage situations moving forward to help him regain his form. One can assume that’s also to get him some confidence back as well.

Denton went on to explain that the team is limited on how they can refocus him, minor league spots are not an option due to his service time. Though at this point, perhaps some humility from Hicks in accepting such an opportunity would be helpful.

Marmol indicated to Denton that Hicks and the team are both comfortable with the shift, but it’s hard to imagine it doesn’t feel a bit deflating for the pitcher, who is clearly struggling to find his foundation in 2023.

His performance has been enough to get some to campaign for a parting of ways with Hicks. Since minor-league options aren’t on the table, there is little recourse available here. This is the best and most creative way to involve Hicks in ways that don’t involve cutting ties altogether.

Pressure is off for Hicks, at least in-game. In another way, the pressure has only increased for Hicks to deliver results and prove he’s still worth counting on. The team is changing the scheme for him, now he needs to change for the team.