Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks heads to IL with elbow inflammation

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks encountered the latest setback of his young MLB career, although the club seems convinced this one isn't so serious. 

Per Zachary Silver of the league's website, the Cardinals placed the 24-year-old right-hander on the injured list retroactive to Sunday with right elbow inflammation. In a corresponding roster move, St. Louis recalled Johan Oviedo so he can start versus the New York Mets on Tuesday night. 

Hicks experienced discomfort throwing against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday and underwent an MRI to evaluate the seriousness of the problem. Silver added that Hicks' inflammation is commonly seen among pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery, a procedure the reliever known for his velocity underwent in June 2019. 

Hicks was set to begin the 2020 regular season on the IL recovering from the operation but ultimately opted out of the campaign because he has Type 1 diabetes and was deemed "high-risk" for COVID-19. 

In 10 appearances this season, Hicks has recorded a 5.40 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP, 10 strikeouts and 10 walks across 10 innings of work.