NEWSLETTER
No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is.
Kyle Hendricks Activated
Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short (but necessary in more ways than one) rehab assignment to start the finale against the Pirates at PNC Park. To make room for Hendricks on the active roster, Jose Cuas is being optioned back to Iowa.
On April 23, following a fifth consecutive poor outing, Hendricks hit the injured list, ostensibly with a back issue. But I think we all kinda know it was at least partially to clear his mind and give him a chance to reset. Ideally, I think the Cubs would’ve kept him going in Iowa a little while longer, but Jameson Taillon’s back started flaring up again, and the Cubs needed an arm. So Hendricks returns after two starts with the I-Cubs that were … fine.
5/2: 5.0 IP, 6H, 2ER, 0BB, 7Ks
5/7: 4.1 IP, 5H, 1ER, 3BB, 6Ks
The strikeouts are good to see, I guess, but that’s still 11 hits allowed against minor leaguers in just 9.1 IP. Hopefully he can be better than that today against the Pirates, who offer as soft of a landing as any team in MLB.
With Hendricks’ effectiveness and Taillon’s back issue up in the air (plus Jordan Wicks working his way back from an injury), it’s tough to nail down the exact look of the Cubs rotation right now. Hayden Wesneski might still be a part of it, or he might come in to relieve Hendricks today. It all just depends. That’s probably a conversation for tomorrow, after we see how this start goes and how Taillon feels.
In the meantime, Jose Cuas is being sent back down to Iowa, which was an easy call. Not only is he the least trusted (optionable) member of this bullpen right now, he also threw 33 pitches yesterday. So he was going to be unavailable no matter what.
