As the Chicago Cubs battle it out to reclaim the top spot in the NL Central, they’ll now have to do it without starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks for the foreseeable future.
On Saturday, Chicago placed the right-handed pitcher on the 10-day injured list with inflammation in his right shoulder.
Hendricks exited Friday’s start against the Los Angeles after allowing five runs and six hits in 4.2 innings. It was by far his worst start in nearly two months and Saturday’s news potentially explains why Hendricks struggled.
Chicago hasn’t provided a timetable for when Hendricks could return, though the nature of the injury is concerning. Even if it’s a short absence, the Cubs will be missing a reliable starter who entered Friday with a 3.00 ERA and dominated in May with a 1.81 ERA across six starts.
While the Cubs haven’t announced who will replace Hendricks in the rotation, Tyler Chatwood’s experience as a starter makes him the likeliest candidate.