Three months ago, it looked like Kyle Hendricks’ Cubs career was coming to an unceremonious end. On May 17, the veteran right-hander was 0-4 with a 10.57 ERA over seven starts. Manager Craig Counsell removed him from the rotation.
But after a stint in the bullpen that he credits for turning around his season, Hendricks rejoined the starters June 19. He said he learned a lot about pregame routine from the other bullpen pitchers and has become more intentional in his prep.
“The throwing sessions are maybe a little more frequent but a lot shorter,” Hendricks — now 3-10, 6.35 — said Friday after allowing two runs (one earned) and five hits over five innings in the Cubs’ win against the Blue Jays at Wrigley Field. “My pregame warmup is way shorter. I learned I knew what I need to do to get ready, get hot and then go out there and compete. Save your competitive bullets and really focus when you’re out there.”
Over his last seven starts, Hendricks has a 4.37 ERA — not up to his peak years but workable for a team missing injured starters Jordan Wicks and Ben Brown.
“I’ve still got a long way to go,” Hendricks said. “That’s why I’m still focused on the work. I keep thanking everybody in [the pitching department]. They’ve stayed on me, put in the work with me every single day. I’m excited [about] where I’m getting to again.”
A big little thing
After working a full count in the fifth, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong unloaded on a slider from Blue Jays starter Yariel Rodriguez near the top of the zone for a go-ahead homer to center — his fifth long ball of the season. It was a small victory for Crow-Armstrong, who has struggled against sliders all year (.118 average, 34.2% strikeout rate entering Friday).
Over his last 15 games, Crow-Armstrong is slashing .275/.302/.529. If he can keep it up, it drastically helps the Cubs’ lineup.
“Pete doing some good things on offense means good things for us and means run production,” Counsell said.
Wondering about Wicks
Wicks (strained right oblique) and Brown (neck) have combined to make just 14 starts, leaving the Cubs with more questions than answers heading into an important offseason.
Wicks, who’s on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa, went two innings Thursday, allowing four runs, five hits and two walks while striking out three. He’s eligible to come off the 60-day injured list this week, but Counsell said he likely has “a minimum of two [starts] left before he’s ready to pitch for us.”
Wicks previously missed six weeks on the IL with a strained left forearm. Counsell said the team isn’t concerned about him giving up too much offense in Iowa.
“He’s got time left,” Counsell said. “At the start of it, health is most important. As we get closer to making a decision, then results start to get factored in more.”