When Cole Hamels came out of the game early on Friday with an injury, it was bummer in all the obvious ways that losing one of your best pitchers – at any point – in the regular season is a bummer. But it hurt twice as bad, because the Cubs other best pitcher, Kyle Hendricks, was out with an injury, as well. Playing without both of those two guys at this point – and at the same time – is pretty devastating. Fortunately, the Cubs might not actually have to go too long without at least one of them.
Before Hamel’s injury on Friday, the Cubs had updated their rotation plans, nixing the six-man rotation (and Tyler Chatwood) in favor of Adbert Alzolay and the other four regular starters. But as soon as Hamels went down, Chatwood seemed destined for another start.
But apparently not:
Rotation for Pittsburgh:
Monday- Alzolay
Tuesday- HENDRICKS
Wednesday- Darvish
Thursday- Quintana— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) June 30, 2019
Cubs say Kyle Hendricks will start Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) June 30, 2019
The previous plan for this week went Adbert Alzolay – Yu Darvish – Cole Hamels – Jose Quintana. But instead of replacing Hamels with Chatwood, the Cubs are pushing Darvish back a day and substituting in HEY … wait a minute!
KYLE FREAKIN’ HENDRICKS!
https://media.giphy.com/media/s2qXK8wAvkHTO/giphy.gif
Hendricks hit the IL with a right shoulder impingement on June 15th and has been working his way back ever since. We have gotten a few positive updates in the meantime, but a start this sudden is certainly a (pleasant) surprise.
We’ll have more, I’m sure, when we hear from those in charge of making this decision, but for now … REJOICE. Kyle Hendricks is returning before the All-Star break and helping to fill in during the absence of Hamels. He is good.
We work almost as fast as Kyle Hendricks – the new shirt is here! And as always, free shipping: https://t.co/PhN09aMOa8 pic.twitter.com/AasuvRob3Y
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) June 10, 2019