The Chicago Cubs got a huge boost this weekend, when 2021 first round pick Jordan Wicks was called up to make his MLB debut and then he went out and dominated the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wicks took over Drew Smyly's spot in the starting rotation, but the veteran lefty was only in the rotation after Marcus Stroman's stint on the injured list was extended after he suffered a bizarre rib fracture.

Here are the latest updates on Stroman and a few other pitchers who could make an impact down the stretch.

Marcus Stroman

The Cubs thought Marcus Stroman was going to come back against the White Sox in the middle of August after he was first placed on the injured list with right-hip inflammation. However, Stroman had a rib fracture and that story became weird quickly, as neither the team nor the pitcher could identify how he suffered that new injury. Stroman also met with the media in the press box area at Wrigley Field, during a game that added to the odd vibes of the story.

Anyway, we haven't really heard much since Stroman said he was going to be shut down for a few weeks, but Jed Hoyer did provide somewhat of an update on 670 The Score on Monday.

Via Audacy.

“I know he feels better,” Hoyer said on the Mully & Haugh Show. “I know he doesn’t feel perfect yet. And it’s a frustrating injury because it’s a rest injury. There’s not a real timeframe, honestly, because it’s nothing something that we normally deal. I know he’s feeling better. We’re hopeful, and I think we’ll have more of a sense after he sees the doctor today, just what the rest of the month can look like.”

Hopefully a healthy Stroman can return to the Cubs starting rotation because when he's been on, the right-hander has been great. In 23 starts this season, Stroman has a 3.85 ERA in 128.2 innings. Stroman last pitched on July 31, against the Cincinnati Reds.

From July 9, 2022, through June 20, 2023, Stroman posted a 2.42 ERA in 32 starts that covered 190 innings.

Michael Fulmer

When the Cubs called up Jordan Wicks, fans were surprised to see Michael Fulmer being the odd-man out in the bullpen. If this was back in May, then most would have been celebrating. Now, while Fulmer did struggle in his last few appearances, he's been one of the best relievers in baseball for the past three months, so when you saw forearm strain next to his name, fans instantly worried.

From May 28-Aug. 18, Fulmer had a 1.60 ERA in 31 appearances. In 33.2 innings, the right-hander struck out 37 batters, while holding opponents to a .168 average and had a 1.04 WHIP. Outstanding job after Fulmer was getting lit up by Cubs fans after his first five weeks or so on his new team.

So, the forearm strain. Still not great, but it seems like this won't be a longterm issue for Fulmer? Hopefully.

During Sunday's broadcast on the Marquee Sports Network, we got this info on Fulmer.

After only giving up runs in four appearances in two months, Fulmer surrendered six runs in 9.1 innings in August prior to his injury list stint. So, let's hope that Fulmer just needs some rest here because he has been a major part of the Cubs bullpen success this summer.

Brad Boxberger

Just like Fulmer, Brad Boxberger wasn't getting many warm receptions from Cubs fans after his debut on the north side. The veteran reliever posted a 5.52 ERA in 17 appearances before he landed on the injured list with a right forearm strain. Boxberger has been sidelined since the middle of May, but he has been rehabbing for a couple of weeks in the minors.

After ramping back up in Arizona, Boxberger has been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs sine Aug. 20. He's pitched four times, throwing three total innings on this current rehab. So, he could become a possible option in September for the bullpen as well.

Nick Burdi

The latest update on Nick Burdi really sucks He had a great comeback story with the Cubs this season, returning to MLB after a plethora of injuries and he looked great, lighting up the radar gun and providing some much-needed velocity out of the bullpen.

Then, Burdi needed an appendectomy in late May, getting him off the mound for a while. Burdi came back and pitched in two rehab outings with the Iowa Cubs in August, but now he's dealing with another injury.

Burdi had three strikeouts in two innings at Triple-A in his latest rehab assignment.

Brandon Hughes

It's crazy to think how left-hander Brandon Hughes entered 2023 being one of the few guys you thought was going to be a main contributor out of the bullpen and he's been a non-factor because of injuries. The lefty has been battling knee issues since spring training and Hughes has only thrown 13.2 innings in 2023.

Hughes last pitched on June 11, and since then he's been slowly getting back to 100%. Right now, the 27-year-old is still only throwing live bullpen sessions.

The Cubs have not ruled out a return for Hughes this year, but time is certainly not on his side as we get closer to the end of the regular season.