Kyle

Hendricks

The deal, which was agreed to on Wednesday, is now official. The 34-year-old hurler struggled to a 5.92 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and an 87/43 K/BB ratio over 130 2/3 innings in 29 appearances (24 starts) for the Cubs during the 2024 season. While he’s not a frontline starter, the Angels need all of the help that they can get in their starting rotation and Hendricks should prove to be a valuable innings eater. The major lack of strikeouts make him irrelevant in most fantasy formats.

Joel Sherman of MLB Network reports it’s a $2.5 million pact for the right-hander. The soon-to-be 35-year-old went 4-12 with a 5.92 ERA for the Cubs last season. He was good in 2023, but he has an 87 ERA+ over the last four seasons. Of the 58 pitchers to throw 500 innings since 2021, he has the third-worst mark, ahead of only Jordan Lyles (81) and Patrick Corbin (71).

Hendricks ends his season with his best start of the year, holding the Reds scoreless into the eighth inning. He scattered two hits and two walks, striking out two batters while tossing an efficient 81 pitches. He’d take a no-decision as neither team could put a run on the board through the seventh inning. The 34-year-old right-hander ends his season with a 5.92 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and a 87/43 K/BB ratio across 130 2/3 innings.

Hendricks loaded the bases with one out in the second inning and allowed a run in on a sacrifice fly before getting out of the jam. Three straight signed and a sacrifice fly brought a second run in to score in the sixth before Hendricks was replaced on the mound by Keegan Thompson, who served up a three-run blast to Joey Gallo. The 34-year-old right-hander ends the day with a 6.28 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and an 85/41 K/BB ratio across 123 1/3 innings. He’ll make his final start Friday at home against the Reds.

Hendricks is set to be a free agent for the first time this winter. He signed a four-year extension with the Cubs prior to the 2019 season that included an option for 2024. Hendricks is 4-11 with a 6.25 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 83 strikeouts in 118 innings this year. It’s unlikely that Hendricks will be seriously pursued by a contending team this offseason, but he could be a back of the rotation option and veteran presence for an otherwise young and up and coming team.

A pitcher like Hendricks pitching in Denver can be a recipe for disaster, but it went very well; helped by the fact that the Rockies are terrible. He did walk three, but he was able to fan seven and allowed just two hits in the outing. That’s the first time he’s allowed two hits and struck out seven since 2021. Hendricks still has an ugly ERA of 6.25, but he’s allowed just three runs over his last two starts. He’s scheduled to make one of his final starts of the year against the Nationals over the weekend.

Hendricks walked four, but he survived anyway, as none of the four hits he allowed went for extra bases. In spite of a 6.51 ERA, it seems likely that he’ll get to finish the season in the Cubs rotation. He’s due to take on the Rockies in Coors Field next time out.

Steele was unable to make his start Tuesday because of inflammation in his elbow, and now has been diagnosed with the tendinitis. Kyle Hendricks made the start for Steele on Tuesday and pitched well, and likely will continue to make starts until Steele can come back. There’s no timetable for Steele’s return, but the IL stint will cause him to miss at least two weeks.

Hendricks was making a spot start with Justin Steele unavailable due to soreness in his left elbow. He pitched well, but not well enough with Paul Skenes blanking the Cubs over his five frames and Chicago providing zero runs through the contest. It remains to be seen if Hendricks makes another start, but that is obviously tied to Steele’s health.

That’s not good at all. Kyle Hendricks, who was jumped dropped from the rotation to make room for Jordan Wicks, will regain his spot for now and face the Pirates on Tuesday. If Steele can’t make it back this month, the Cubs might decide to take a look at Caleb Kilian during the final few weeks.