Kyle Hendricks' Path Back To Chicago Is Beginning

The Chicago Cubs have had to weave their way through 2024 thanks to an injury bug sweeping through the team. It started in spring training with Jameson Taillon and Caleb Kilian. Then, ace Justin Steele went down on Opening Day with a hamstring injury. Since then, other big names have joined, too. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki, former MVP Cody Bellinger, and former World Series hero Kyle Hendricks.

Hendricks has had an abysmal start to his 2024 season, a season he needs to go well. Many question his place on the Cubs moving forward. He's started five games for the Cubs and is 0-3 in decisions. Hendricks has given up 28 earned runs in 21 innings pitched. While it hasn't all been bad his first time through the lineup, opponents are absolutely teeing off on Hendricks the second time through.

After another rough start against the Miami Marlins, the Cubs announced that Hendricks would be heading to the injured list with a back injury. Many believe this was a "phantom" injury, meaning the Cubs just needed to pull him and give him time to work on mechanics. The timetable for his return was widely unknown, especially after the roster moves the Cubs have made since. However, we have an idea of what may be going on now.

Kyle Hendricks To Make Rehab Start In Minors

Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic tweeted on Wednesday that Kyle Hendricks will start a rehab assignment with AA Tennessee on Thursday. This will be the first action Hendricks has seen since his loss to the Marlins on April 21st. There is still no official timetable for Hendricks' return to the big-league team.

This will certainly not be Hendricks' one and only start before returning to Chicago. A quick turnaround means his "back injury" has to be feeling better, which is encouraging. But the Cubs still need Hendricks to make better pitches and get more outs. When he returns to the major leagues, he'll bring a 12.00 earned run average back with him. All eyes will be on him, and patients will be very thin.

Hendricks will have to execute when he does return because young blood will be chomping at the bit behind him. Top prospect Cade Horton has been promoted from AA Tennessee to AAA Iowa because of his brilliant pitching during his young career. He is on a fast track to the majors. Not to mention, Ben Brown has held his own as a major league pitcher, which will make it hard for the Cubs to move him down from Chicago.