Roster talk: What can Cubs expect from Hendricks and Heuer?

Matt Marton - USA Today Sports

by Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Wed Jan 11 18:00:07 GMT-05:00 2023

Throughout the 2022-23 MLB offseason thus far, the Cubs have not only answered many questions, but have also addressed many needs. They added the SS they were searching for in Dansby Swanson. They added left-handed bats in Eric Hosmer and Cody Bellinger while also adding Bellinger to CF. You also saw the Cubs get starting pitcher help in Drew Smyly and Jameson Taillon and picked up a gold glove catcher in Tucker Barnhardt as the Cubs have focussed on defense over the offense for that position.

Still, with all those moves being made, there are more question marks surrounding this team, and most continue to circle around the pitching staff. That is where the most significant remaining question mark sits, which revolves around Kyle Hendricks.

Kyle Hendricks

Not only are fans wondering if and when they will see Hendricks this season, but when you look at the additions this team has made, you also wonder where he fits this season. Don't get me wrong. There was a time when Hendricks was the ace of the staff and one of the most consistent starters in the National League.

Unlike most pitchers that live off velocity, Hendricks is the opposite of that as he turned back the clock 30 years. His fastball sits around 87 MPH and works the corners while letting his defense do most of the work for him. There was a reason why the Cubs gave him a four-year 52 million dollar extension when they did, as he is in the final year of that contract.

Usually, we would be talking about a possible extension beyond this season, but after the last two seasons, most fans are ready to see the Cubs part ways with Hendricks. Granted, he wasn't healthy last season, which was evident after the first month. Hendricks has not been good in his last two years, which is not a trend you want to see.

Not only has he lost the little velocity he has had, but his outstanding command has also depleted, making him prone to homers and hard contact. When it was announced that Hendricks needed shoulder surgery, he made it a point to try and increase velocity by going with a driveline Academy-type workout.

When it comes to a timeline as to when we will see Hendricks, it all depends on how he will feel when he starts throwing off the mound. He has yet to do that, and it is unclear when that will start. The best-case scenario would be that he is fully ready to go when he gets to spring training and will make the rotation out of camp. However, that would mean bumping a guy like Hayden Wesneski, and at this point, no fan wants to see that.

Codi Heuer

The other question mark surrounding the pitching staff is that of reliever Codi Heuer. Acquired in 2021 as part of the Craig Kimbrel trade that also brought in Nick Madrigal, Heuer was immediately thrown into the back end of the Cubs bullpen in 2021 and pitched really well. He pitched so well that the Cubs had plans to make him the setup man in 2022 with the possibility of being the teams closer.

Then came the 2021-22 MLB offseason, where it was revealed that Heuer had an elbow injury and thus needed the dreaded Tommy John surgery. Keep in mind Tommy John is far more common than before, but you never like to hear those words for a young pitcher.

Heuer missed the entire 2022 season because of that injury, and his now working out in Arizona to get back into game shape. With this surgery taking place during the lockout last season, his timeline is expected to be somewhere in the 15-16 month range as opposed to 12-13 months.

According to recent reports, not only is Heuer on track to return this season, but most expect him back by June, so look for possible major league action around the all-star break. With Ethan Roberts and Brad Weick recovering from Tommy John, the Cubs will have bullpen pieces returning and plenty of decisions to make.

The role for Heuer this season is unclear, but it is a safe bet to assume that he won't be in high-leverage situations this season. However, the 2024 season is where things get interesting. Given how he pitched in 2021, Heuer will get looks at the closer role at some point, but that will only happen if the Cubs don't have an established closer by the end of this season.