It had to be done. The Chicago Cubs could no longer afford to have Kyle Hendricks start for them every fifth day and on Tuesday the team placed the 2016 World Series hero on the 15-day injured list. Right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski has been called up from Triple-A.
Hendricks, 34, last pitched on Sunday, when he could only go four innings against the Miami Marlins. Yet, even against the worst offense in the National League, Hendricks surrendered four runs on six hits, including the eighth home run in 21 innings.
Through five starts, Hendricks has posted a 12.00 ERA, struggling with his command and not showing the ability to fool hitters even to the extent that he did last season.
The Cubs are also making a few other moves prior to their series opener against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Matt Mervis has been called up from Triple-A and he's replacing veteran first baseman and designated hitter Garrett Cooper. The 33-year-old who signed in early March has been designated for assignment by the Cubs.
Alongside Hendricks, veteran pitcher Drew Smyly is going on the injured list and rookie lefty Luke Little is returning from the Iowa Cubs to take Smyly's spot in the bullpen.
Moving forward, the Cubs will be relying on their youth, especially in the pitching department.
With Hendricks out, this should mean that rookie pitcher Ben Brown will go back to starting, unless they give Wesneski that opportunity. However it goes, the other will become a key piece in the bullpen.
As for the position players go, with Seiya Suzuki still on the injured list and Cooper now gone, you can expect the Cubs to platoon Mervis and Patrick Wisdom at the DH spot, while Alexander Canario and Mike Tauchman platoon in right field.
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