Chicago Cubs ACE Kyle Hendricks wants to put in a full seasons’ worth of work this year, even considering the bump up in innings from the shortened 2020 season (a bump up that he might be uniquely positioned to absorb well). And if that’s gonna happen, it would help if were just ready to rock right out of the gate, as the least surprising Opening Day starter choice for the Cubs in recent memory.
Well, no announcement just yet on that front, but Pitching Coach Tommy Hottovy did reveal today that Hendricks would be the Cubs’ Cactus League opener … which also lines him up for a particular start in the regular season:
(Hottovy was quick to note that multiple pitchers will be prepped/lined up for possible Opening Day availability.)
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 25, 2021
No need to rush the announcement, and it’s happy enough for today to think about Hendricks being on the mound on Monday to kick off the Cubs’ Cactus League slate.
… but yeah, if he’s healthy, Hendricks will quite obviously be the Cubs’ Opening Day starter this year. And maybe he’ll pitch another shutout, like he did on Opening Day 2020: