Cubs Exercise Kyle Hendricks' 2024 Option
Kyle Hendricks' $16.5 million option for the 2024 season, according to sources. The move was expected, especially after starter Marcus Stroman opted out of his deal over the weekend. Hendricks, the team's longest-tenured player, will return next year for his 11th season. The 33-year-old is a soft-tosser and doesn't strike out many batters, but he posted a respectable 3.74 ERA (3.81 FIP) and 1.20 WHIP in 24 starts in 2023 while walking 27 and striking out 93 in 137 innings pitched for the Cubbies. Hendrick's fantasy ceiling is very low, but he'll remain a valuable real-life pitcher in the middle of Chicago's starting rotation in 2024.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
The Chicago Cubs exercised right-hander Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Kyle Hendricks Blanks Reds To Finish Season
Kyle Hendricks was dominant in his final start of the season, throwing 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball in the Cubs' 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. Hendricks only allowed two hits and walked just two batters, though he did not pick up the win as the Cubs scored all their runs in the bottom of the eighth. The 34-year-old is an unrestricted free agent after this season and may have made his final start as a Chicago Cub at Wrigley Field. He has spent all 11 seasons of his career as a Chicago Cub but 2024 marked a fall from grace for the right-hander, posting an ugly 5.92 ERA this season. Should this be his final start as a Cub, he amassed a 97-81 record over 276 games and posted a 3.68 with the team. Dynasty managers that have Hendricks on their roster can expect some positive regression wherever he lands as his 4.94 xERA suggests he was unlucky this season, but a 4.94 xERA doesn't quite scream fantasy value.
Source: MLB.com
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Source: MLB.com
Kyle Hendricks Turns In Quality Start Against Twins
Kyle Hendricks turned in a quality start Monday against the Twins with six innings of two-run ball, allowing five hits and a walk to go with five strikeouts. This year's numbers aren't pretty for the veteran as Hendricks has a 6.60 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 16 starts. He has 65 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings. While the start was encouraging, it is still tough to roster a pitcher with those ratios and limited strikeout potential. Hendricks will need to build off this outing to be considered as a waiver wire addition.
Source: MLB.com
Chicago Cubs right-handed starting pitcher Source: MLB.com
Kyle Hendricks Exits Early Saturday With Back Tightness
Kyle Hendricks left his start Saturday with lower back tightness after two innings against the Los Angeles Angels. He had surrendered four hits and two earned runs before departing and being relieved by Colton Brewer. Hendricks had stepped back into the rotation due to injuries to Javier Assad and Ben Brown. He had been pitching in a long relief role through mid-June. The level of severity of the injury remains unknown. Hendricks is 1-6 with a 7.53 ERA, a 1.58 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts in 63 innings.
Source: Taylor McGregor on X
Chicago Cubs veteran Source: Taylor McGregor on X
Kyle Hendricks Being Moved To The Bullpen
Kyle Hendricks will be moved to the bullpen for now, but the hope is to get Hendricks back on track to eventually return him to the starting rotation. With a bullpen-type game coming on Wednesday against the visiting Atlanta Braves, the 34-year-old could be used in a relief role as perhaps the bulk reliever. Hendricks has already spent time on the injured list this year and just has not looked at all like the pitcher he was in 2023, when he had a 3.74 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in his 24 starts. Through seven starts in 2024, he's gone 0-4 with a rough 10.57 ERA (6.93 FIP) and 1.99 WHIP with 11 walks and 25 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings. Even if Hendricks eventually returns to a starting role, it will be hard to recommend him in standard 12-team fantasy leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Sahadev Sharma
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that veteran right-hander Source: The Athletic - Sahadev Sharma
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