Veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks exited his begin in opposition to the Angels right this moment after simply two innings of labor, changed by right-hander Colten Brewer to start out the third inning. The Cubs later introduced (as relayed by Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic) that Hendricks had exited his begin as a result of decrease again tightness.
The 2024 season has been a brutal one for the 34-year-old righty, as he’s struggled to an eye-popping 7.48 ERA with a 5.34 FIP in 61 1/3 innings of labor coming into play right this moment. That tough efficiency noticed the righty transfer to the bullpen earlier this season, though accidents elsewhere on the roster mixed with a month’s value of stable outcomes (he posted a 2.67 ERA and a couple of.97 FIP in 27 inning from Might 23 to June 25) allowed him to maneuver again into the rotation in late June. Now, his standing seems to be in query as soon as once more after his exit right this moment as a result of an damage just like one Hendricks already missed three weeks as a result of earlier this 12 months.
Fortuitously, Hendricks instructed reporters (as famous by Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports activities Community) after the sport that the problem isn’t the identical downside that triggered him to overlook time again in Might. The veteran famous that he first felt his again lock up yesterday, and that whereas the ache lingered right this moment he and the membership determined to go forward together with his begin in hopes he may handle the tightness. Hendricks expressed confidence that he would be capable of make his subsequent begin, though supervisor Craig Counsell was extra cautious, noting that it wasn’t but clear if Hendricks could be able to take the ball in time.
That might be an issue for the Cubs, as whereas they’ve a day without work on Monday they’re scheduled to play seven video games in six days after that within the run-up to the All Star break, together with a doubleheader in opposition to the Cardinals on July 13. If Hendricks is unable to make a type of begins, that would go away the Cubs with simply three wholesome common starters (Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon) amid accidents to Javier Assad, Ben Brown, and Jordan Wicks. Swingman Hayden Wesneski has joined the rotation in current days regardless of struggling badly within the bullpen all through the month of June and figures to proceed chipping in for begins whereas the remainder of the rotation will get wholesome, but when Hendricks is unable to make a type of begins that also leaves the membership in want of two extra starters earlier than the break.
Counsell urged to reporters (together with Andracki) after the sport that Assad may return from the proper forearm extensor pressure that sidelined him late final month in time to make a type of begins, noting that the membership is “optimistic” that he can contribute within the massive leagues subsequent weekend. If Assad, who has posted a stable 3.04 ERA throughout 16 begins regardless of a middling 4.16 FIP this 12 months, can return whereas Hendricks avoids an IL stint of his personal that might resolve the membership’s short-term rotation questions. If Hendricks doesn’t recuperate rapidly sufficient to take the ball over the weekend, nonetheless, that would go away the membership in the hunt for innings simply earlier than the All Star break.
Speculatively talking, the Cubs may faucet veteran southpaw Drew Smyly to make a type of begins. The lefty began 23 video games for Chicago final 12 months however has been used completely out of the bullpen thus far within the 2024 marketing campaign and final threw even 40 pitches in an outing again on April 5. Prime prospect Cade Horton is on the Triple-A stage however received’t be an possibility amid a shutdown as a result of a subscapularis pressure final month. Journeyman lefty Thomas Pannone has made 18 begins for the membership at Triple-A this 12 months, however has posted mediocre outcomes (4.57 ERA in 86 2/3 innings) and would have to be added to the membership’s 40-man roster. A bullpen recreation might be one other chance for the membership, however which may be a tall order for a reduction corps that has already misplaced Wesneski to the rotation whereas Yency Almonte, Adbert Alzolay, Julian Merryweather, and Mark Leiter Jr. are all shelved with accidents of their very own and needed to cowl seven innings in reduction of Hendricks right this moment.
