Giants Sign Former Cubs Reliever After Impressive Japan Stint

Rowan Wick joins the Giants on a one-year deal with a club option, but will miss the 2026 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Francisco Giants have signed right-handed pitcher Rowan Wick to a one-year contract with a club option for 2027. Wick, who previously played for the Chicago Cubs, spent the last two seasons pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league where he posted impressive numbers. However, Wick is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the entire 2026 MLB season.

Why it matters

The Giants are looking to bolster their bullpen, and Wick's track record in the majors and recent success in Japan make him an intriguing addition, even if he won't be able to contribute right away. The Giants will have flexibility to decide on Wick's club option for 2027 after seeing how he recovers from his injury.

The details

Wick, 33, has five partial seasons of major league experience, four of which came with the Chicago Cubs. He last pitched for the Cubs in 2022 before signing with the Yokohama Bay Stars in Japan's NPB league. With the Bay Stars, Wick posted a 3.09 ERA in 59 1/3 innings in 2024 and a 1.17 ERA in 47 2/3 innings in 2025. However, Wick is currently rehabbing after undergoing Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the entire 2026 MLB season.

  • Wick last pitched for the Cubs in 2022.
  • Wick signed with the Yokohama Bay Stars in Japan's NPB league in 2023.
  • Wick posted a 3.09 ERA in 59 1/3 innings with the Bay Stars in 2024.
  • Wick posted a 1.17 ERA in 47 2/3 innings with the Bay Stars in 2025.
  • Wick signed a one-year contract with the Giants in 2026, with a club option for 2027, but is expected to miss the entire 2026 MLB season due to Tommy John surgery.

The players

Rowan Wick

A 33-year-old right-handed pitcher who has five partial seasons of major league experience, four of which came with the Chicago Cubs. He spent the last two seasons pitching in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league where he posted impressive numbers, but is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

San Francisco Giants

The Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California that has signed Rowan Wick to a one-year contract with a club option for 2027.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Giants have plenty of bullpen questions to answer this year before they'll have to worry about the decision on Wicks' club option. But it's good to have flexibility this far in advance when it comes to building out the bullpen for next year.”

— Alex Pavlovic, NBC Sports Bay Area reporter (NBC Sports Bay Area)

What’s next

Wick is expected to miss the entire 2026 MLB season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The Giants will have to decide whether to exercise their club option on Wick for the 2027 season after seeing how he recovers from his injury.

The takeaway

The Giants are taking a calculated risk by signing Rowan Wick, who has shown promise in the majors and recently in Japan's NPB league. While he will miss the 2026 season, the Giants are hoping that Wick can return to form and bolster their bullpen in 2027 and beyond.