Kyle Hendricks moving to the bullpen |
The Professor is still in session but in a different capacity.
Chicago Cubs veteran pitcher Kyle Hendricks has had a rough go of it with the Cubs in 2024, with a winless record and a 10.57 ERA in seven starts. A move had to be made with the Cubs' starting pitching depth, which includes youngsters Cade Horton, Hayden Wesneski, Ben Brown, and others knocking on the door. “From a team standpoint, we’re always trying to pinpoint what gives us the best chance to win short term and long term,” Cubs president Jed Hoyer said Tuesday. “With Kyle, I think he’s had some success first time through the order, and then after that, it’s gotten pretty dicey. “I think this gives him a chance to work through some stuff, and there’s a chance he continues that trend and has success there,” Hoyer said. “I think there’s some signs of success in there. There are some good things we see, but obviously, he hasn’t been able to put it together yet. And he knows that, and obviously, he’s the ultimate pro. He understands why we’re doing it.” However, the plan is for Hendricks to move back to the starting rotation once he gets his mojo back. “Our pitching is precarious enough right now, we are going day by day with a lot of this right now,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “And I think we should. The goal still is to get Kyle on track and get him back in the rotation. That’s absolutely what I’d like to do.” Hendricks has always been a team-first guy. "He wants to do what he can to help the team,” Counsell said. “That never wavers for Kyle. He’s willing. He doesn’t have to be happy with it, but I think he still knows he’s going to do whatever he can to help the Cubs win games.” Hendricks is ready for the challenge. “It’s just trying to give the team the best chance to win," he said Thursday. "I’m honestly excited for the opportunity and the challenge. It’s a big opportunity to try and turn things around.” Dansby Swanson returned from the IL, Kyle Hendricks is moving to the bullpen and more!
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