The Cubs are transferring Kyle Hendricks to the bullpen in the interim, supervisor Craig Counsell instructed reporters together with Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Counsell indicated the group is hopeful that the veteran right-hander will be capable of transfer again to the rotation sooner or later, however he’ll first want to enhance his outcomes.
Hendricks has been a beginning pitcher for his whole profession. For the primary seven years of his MLB tenure, he was an unconventional top-of-the-rotation arm. Hendricks’ pristine command and talent to maintain the ball on the bottom greater than overcame middling velocity and strikeout totals. He gained the ERA title throughout Chicago’s curse-breaking 2016 season and picked up a pair of top-10 finishes in Cy Younger balloting.
Issues haven’t gone as easily during the last three and a half years. Hendricks posted a near-5.00 ERA in each 2021 and 2022. He returned from a capsule tear in his shoulder to show in a 3.74 ERA over 24 begins a yr in the past. That satisfied the Cubs to set off a $16.5M choice for this season. Whereas it wasn’t a very stunning transfer on the time, that’s a choice the entrance workplace certainly needs it might have again.
Opposing lineups have teed off on Hendricks by way of his first seven begins of 2024. He has allowed 37 runs over 30 2/3 innings. Hendricks has conceded 10 dwelling runs and has a career-low 7.7 p.c swinging strike charge. His 48.2 p.c grounder share and seven.3 p.c stroll charge are every respectable, however opponents have put collectively an enormous .362/.411/.638 slash line over 151 plate appearances.
A decrease again subject despatched Hendricks to the injured checklist on the finish of April. Following a three-week absence, he returned to begin a pair of video games in opposition to the Pirates. Hendricks tossed 5 innings of one-run ball in his first outing again however was tagged for eight runs in 4 2/3 frames final week. Counsell acknowledged after the sport that the Cubs wanted higher manufacturing from that rotation spot.
They’ll attempt to patch that collectively in the interim. The Cubs are planning a bullpen recreation on Thursday in opposition to the Braves in what would have been Hendricks’ spot. They’ll ultimately must decide on a fifth starter behind a robust entrance 4 of Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad. Righties Ben Brown and Hayden Wesneski are able to logging a number of innings, and the Cubs might welcome again left-hander Jordan Wicks earlier than too lengthy.
A forearm pressure despatched Wicks to the injured checklist on April 28. Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune tweets that the previous first-round decide will quickly head on a rehab project after getting by way of a bullpen session this afternoon. Whereas Wicks had a 4.70 ERA by way of his first 5 begins, a robust 25.9 p.c strikeout charge provides purpose for optimism that he can handle higher outcomes after being reinstated.
The damage information wasn’t all optimistic. Montemurro provides that reliever Adbert Alzolay is headed for a second opinion after being identified with a flexor pressure final week. Alzolay saved 22 video games with a 2.67 ERA over 64 innings a yr in the past. He has had a a lot harder begin to the 2024 marketing campaign, permitting 13 runs (9 earned) over 17 1/3 frames.
