Cubs' woes continue as Jordan Wicks (oblique) is likely headed to injured list after leaving start early in team's loss to Cardinals

(670 The Score) Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks will “likely” land on the injured list after leaving his start early Friday due to a right oblique strain, manager Craig Counsell said postgame.

Wicks exited in the top of the second inning of the Cubs’ eventual 3-0 loss to the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. He had logged 1 2/3 scoreless innings before he left.

“He felt it a couple pitches (he left),” Counsell said. “And then after he threw a couple more pitches, he knew he couldn’t do anymore. We’ll get imaging tomorrow and likely IL, and we’ll go from there.”

Wicks’ injury came in just his second outing back since his return from a left forearm injury that kept him out about six weeks from late April to early June. It was also another blow to a Cubs pitching staff that has the injury bug. Rookie right-hander Ben Brown, who has been one of the team’s most reliable pitchers, recently landed on the 15-day injured list with what was initially called a neck strain. On Friday, the Cubs revealed that Brown actually has a stress reaction in his neck, which means he’ll likely be sidelined longer than originally anticipated. The Cubs didn't reveal a specific timetable for Brown's return, as his injury is still being evaluated.

Veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks is a candidate to return to the Cubs’ starting rotation if Wicks indeed lands on the injured list. Hendricks threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings Friday in relief of Wicks.

“We’ll take a look and see where we’re at,” Counsell said.

The Cubs are on a downward spiral, having lost 15 of their past 21 games to drop to 33-37.

“Look, when you’re losing, it looks like you’re doing nothing right,” Counsell said. “We’re doing more right than you think, and that’s why you continue to stay positive about it.”