Hendricks (4-11) allowed one run on two hits across six innings to earn the win Sunday against the Rockies. He walked three and struck out seven.
Hendricks hasn't been very good lately, as he came into this start with a 6.10 ERA and 1.89 WHIP across his last five outings, but he turned back the clock Sunday with a vintage performance. The veteran righty came within one strikeout of his season high, and the two hits allowed tied for his fewest allowed in a start this year. The surprisingly effective appearance might be the last start of the season for Hendricks, however, as Justin Steele (elbow) appears ready to rejoin the rotation in the next few days. When that happens, Hendricks could be pushed back into a long-relief role.
Hendricks allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two batters over 4.1 innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Monday.
Hendricks got through four scoreless frames but allowed four straight batters to reach base with one out in the fifth. That earned him the hook, marking the third time in his past four outings that he's been unable to complete five innings. Hendricks has posted a 7.47 ERA and 2.17 WHIP over 15.2 frames during that stretch while walking more batters (10) than he's struck out (nine). He may move back to the bullpen when Justin Steele (elbow) is able to return from the injured list.
Hendricks (3-11) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Pirates.
Hendricks rebounded from his poor outing in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, but he didn't get any run support this time around. This was just the second time in eight outings since the All-Star break where Hendricks was able to avoid giving up a home run. He's now at a 6.60 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 74:33 K:BB through 107.2 innings over 25 appearances (20 starts) this season. With Justin Steele (elbow) out, Hendricks is likely to stay in the rotation for another turn, though that lines up to be a brutal road matchup versus the Dodgers.
Hendricks will start Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Hendricks looked to be destined to head to the bullpen after the return of Jordan Wicks from the 60-day injured list Sunday gave the Cubs five healthy starters. However, Justin Steele was scratched from his start Tuesday due to elbow soreness, resulting in Hendricks sticking around in the rotation for now. Hendricks served up six earned runs across only 1.2 innings in a start Wednesday against Pittsburgh, though he had been more effective in his prior four outings (3.92 ERA, 1.26 WHIP in 20.2 innings).
Hendricks escaped with a no-decision in Wednesday's win against the Pirates, allowing six earned runs on eight hits and three walks in 1.2 innings. He struck out two.
Hendricks never found his footing in this one, surrendering a solo home run to Bryan Reynolds in the opening frame before completely unraveling in the second, yielding five additional runs on three extra-base hits before mercifully being pulled with two runners on and two out in the inning. Fortunately for Hendricks, those two runners were stranded and the Cubs rallied to a 14-10 victory, keeping Hendricks' record at 3-10. The 34-year-old veteran has been a shell of his former self this season, registering an ugly 6.75 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 6.0 K/9 in 102.2 innings. Hendricks' next start is slated to be a rematch with Pittsburgh early next week.
Cubs' Kyle Hendricks: Gives up three runs in no-decision
Rotowire
Hendricks didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Marlins, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks across 4.2 innings. He failed to strike out a batter.
Hendricks has a rough start to the season but has looked somewhat better of late, allowing three runs or fewer in seven of eight starts since the beginning of July with a 4.54 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB in 39.2 innings. With Jordan Wicks (oblique) closing in on his return from the IL though, the 34-year-old Hendricks could get bumped from the rotation for a Cubs team that remains on the fringes of the wild-card race in the NL and could begin focusing on the future down the stretch.
Hendricks didn't factor into the decision Friday against Toronto, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits over five innings. He struck out two.
Hendricks held the Blue Jays to one unearned run through his first four innings before Leo Jimenez tied the game at 2-2 with a solo homer to lead off the fifth. While it's been a tough year overall for Hendricks, the veteran right-hander has looked better of late, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in five of his last six outings. Overall, Hendricks is 3-10 with a 6.35 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 67:27 K:BB across 96.1 innings this season. He's currently lined up to face the Tigers at home next week in his next start.
