Blue Jays acquire Jordan Hicks, send Romano to 15-day IL

With closer Jordan Romano headed to the 15-day injured list with a sore back, the Toronto Blue Jays are bringing in flame-throwing reliever Jordan Hicks from the Cardinals.

If it wasn’t already known, the Blue Jays announced themselves as playoff contenders on Sunday by acquiring one of the most sought-after arms on the trade market.

Hicks, 26, is known as one of the hardest throwers in the MLB and provides Toronto much-needed bullpen depth as they navigate through the toughest division in baseball.

Trade details

Blue Jays get	RHP Jordan Hicks
Cardinals get	RHP Adam Kloffenstein, RHP Sem Robberse

The Blue Jays currently sit in third place in the AL East with a 59-47 record. They are 5.5 games back of the Baltimore Orioles and sit 2.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox in the second AL Wild Card slot.

Toronto is -330 to make the playoffs and +250 to miss out.

Think this move can help Jays can go all the way? They are seventh-favourite to win the World Series at +1400.

Odds subject to change. Odds correct as of 7/31/23.

The acquisition of Hicks comes of the back of the Blue Jays losing All-Star closer Jordan Romano for a minimum of two weeks. Romano was placed on the 15-day IL with back soreness, a recurring issue since he left the All-Star Game with discomfort on July 11. 

Hicks posted a treacherous start to the season, allowing six runs and seven walks across his first four appearances, which are staggeringly poor numbers for a relief pitcher. In 36 outings since, the 26-year-old has allowed just 11 earned runs while striking out 55, proving again he can be an elite relief arm for a contending team.

Hicks’ bread and butter is his fastball. 

Per Baseball Savant, Hicks throws his fastball on 70 percent of all pitches with at a 101 MPH average. He ranks in the top percentile in the MLB for fastball velocity.