Hendricks (1-5) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four over seven innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Giants.
Hendricks has faced the Giants in each of his two starts since returning to the rotation. He's limited them to three runs over 12.2 innings with a 12:2 K:BB, but he's gone 1-1 in those outings. It's still a positive sign after his awful start to the campaign landed him a demotion to the bullpen, where he surrendered five runs over 14.1 innings across five appearances. He's now at a 6.87 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 43:17 K:BB over 57.2 innings through 14 appearances (nine starts) this year. Hendricks is tentatively projected to make his next start at home in a tough matchup against the Phillies.
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Cubs' Kyle Hendricks: Earns win in return to rotation
Rotowire
Hendricks (1-4) allowed one run on two hits across 5.2 innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Giants. He walked one and struck out eight.
Making his first start since May 17, Hendricks looked sharp, particularly with the season-high eight strikeouts. Since that last start and his shift to the bullpen, the veteran has pitched much better than earlier in the season. Hendricks now has a 2.70 ERA over his last 20 innings pitched, including Wednesday's start. He figures to stick in the rotation for now, and his next appearance is tentatively set for Tuesday against the Giants again, this time on the road.
Hendricks is listed as the Cubs' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Giants at Wrigley Field, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.
As anticipated, Hendricks will return from a one-month stint in the bullpen to rejoin the rotation in the spot that had previously fallen to Jordan Wicks (oblique) and Ben Brown (neck), both of whom are now on the injured list. Hendricks won't be returning to a starting role with a bit of momentum; after giving up five earned runs over 5.2 innings between his first two relief outings, the veteran righty righted the ship and tossed 8.2 scoreless frames over his subsequent three appearances. Despite his solid form of late, Hendricks' numbers over a larger sample of seven starts earlier this season were worrisome (10.57 ERA, 1.99 WHIP, 9.3 K-BB% over 30.2 innings), so expectations should be tempered Wednesday. Barring a dramatic turnaround in his performance from earlier in the season, Hendricks will likely be headed to the bullpen once the Cubs get one of Wicks or Brown back from the IL.
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Cubs' Kyle Hendricks: Likely moving into rotation
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Friday's loss to the Cardinals that Hendricks is likely to take Jordan Wicks' (oblique) spot in the rotation, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Hendricks came on in relief for the injured Wicks in the second inning Friday and tossed 4.1 scoreless frames. The veteran right-hander has been disastrous on the whole this season with an 8.20 ERA, but he hasn't been scored upon over his last 8.2 innings out of the bullpen. Hendricks would tentatively be lined up to start Wednesday at home versus the Giants.
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Cubs' Kyle Hendricks: Looks sharp Friday
Rotowire
Hendricks tossed 4.1 scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 3-0 loss to the Cardinals. He allowed two hits and struck out one.
Chicago starter Jordan Hicks departed after just 1.2 innings due to an oblique injury, which pushed Hendricks into action. The veteran responded well and had perhaps his best outing of the season, giving the Cubs some much-needed length out of the bullpen. While Hendricks still has an ugly 8.20 ERA overall, he's been better lately with 8.2 scoreless innings over his last three appearances. The veteran is the most likely candidate to move into the rotation with Wicks expected to land on the IL.
