In a move that underscores the unpredictable nature of baseball, the Boston Red Sox have placed relief pitcher Jordan Hicks on the 15-day injured list, a decision that feels as much strategic as it does necessary. Acquired in June as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants, Hicks was a calculated gamble—a salary dump with the potential to reclaim his status as a high-leverage reliever. Instead, his tenure in Boston has been nothing short of a nightmare, culminating in a staggering 8.20 ERA across 21 appearances and 18 2/3 innings.
Hicks’ latest meltdown came on Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians, where he surrendered four earned runs in just a third of an inning. It was the final straw for a Red Sox bullpen that could no longer afford to absorb his struggles. On Thursday, Boston is expected to recall left-hander Chris Murphy from Triple-A Worcester to fill the void, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
Hicks, who signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Giants before the 2024 season, was seen as a reclamation project for Boston. The Red Sox took on the entirety of his deal—$12 million per year through 2027—in hopes of reviving the flamethrower who once dazzled as a reliever. After experimenting as a starter in San Francisco, Hicks was expected to thrive back in the bullpen. Instead, he’s been the weakest link in Boston’s pitching staff, and arguably one of the least effective pitchers in the majors this season.
While Hicks is eligible to return before the regular season ends on September 28, his abysmal performance raises questions about whether the Red Sox will bring him back at all in 2025. Cotillo notes that the team might opt to keep him sidelined through the season’s end, giving them time to reassess his role in the offseason. Officially, Hicks’ placement on the IL is attributed to shoulder issues, though whispers of the “phantom IL” linger—a tactic that, while technically against MLB rules, is nearly impossible to disprove without concrete evidence.
The Red Sox’s decision wasn’t made lightly. Designating Hicks for assignment would have been a drastic step, especially with two years left on his contract. Instead, Boston is betting on an offseason reset to salvage his potential, rather than cutting ties with a pitcher who still possesses raw talent. For now, though, Hicks’ absence leaves the Red Sox bullpen in a peculiar spot. With his departure, the pen now features five left-handers and just four right-handers, including Zack Kelly, who spent much of 2025 in the minors, and Dustin May, who made his first relief appearance for Boston on Wednesday and remains a question mark for the rotation.
Enter Chris Murphy, the lefty from Triple-A who offers a glimmer of hope. In a small 2025 sample, Murphy has been platoon-neutral, posting a .592 OPS against right-handed batters and a .648 OPS against lefties. While these numbers come with a limited track record, they suggest he’s a safer bet than Hicks against hitters of any handedness. Murphy’s versatility could stabilize a bullpen desperate for reliability, even if his long-term profile remains uncertain.
Hicks’ fall from grace is a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in baseball. Once a prized arm with a lucrative contract, he’s now a cautionary tale of high expectations meeting harsh reality. For the Red Sox, this move buys time to retool their bullpen and plan for 2026, but it also underscores the gamble they took in absorbing Hicks’ contract. Whether he can rediscover his form in the offseason—or whether Boston will regret taking on his deal—remains an open question. For now, the Red Sox are moving forward without him, hoping Murphy can provide the spark they so desperately need.