Chicago manager David Ross said Hendricks had a "phenomenal" early part of spring, Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ross was expecting a big season out of the righty, though it's unclear when that season will be able to begin due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hendricks posted a 3.46 ERA in 177 innings (30 starts) for the Cubs last year, his fourth straight sub-3.50 ERA season. The 30-year-old doesn't post eye-popping strikeout totals, but he's still one of the most consistent and effective starters in the National League.

Hendricks is competing with Yu Darvish to start in Chicago's Opening Day game against the Brewers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago skipper David Ross is refusing to commit to an Opening Day arm this early in spring training. Hendricks has been very sharp to begin camp, posting a dominant 1.00 ERA and 0.44 WHIP across nine innings. The 30-year-old has surpassed Jon Lester in the Cubs' starting rotation, but it has yet to be determined where teammate Yu Darvish will be slotted after dealing with an illness to begin spring. Hendricks sported a 3.46 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 150:32 K:BB across 177 innings (30 starts) for the Cubs in 2019.

Hendricks allowed one run over four innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against Cleveland. He gave up two hits and a walk while striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

The run was actually the first allowed by Hendricks in nine innings this spring, and the righty is sporting an impressive 0.44 WHIP to go along with his 1.00 ERA. Yu Darvish and Jon Lester appear to be the top candidates to start on Opening Day, but Hendricks is right behind them in the pecking order, and the 30-year-old will be a key member of the rotation no matter where he slots in.

Hendricks tossed three perfect innings with three strikeouts in Monday's Cactus League game against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks has been dialed in to begin the spring, as he's allowed just one hit and no runs in his first five innings of work. Yu Darvish and Jon Lester might grab more headlines in Chicago, but Hendricks has been outstanding for the Cubs since his debut in 2014. Last season, the righty posted a 3.46 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 177 innings of work, and similar numbers should be expected in 2020 from one of the league's most consistent starters.

Hendricks said he worked on strengthening his legs, as well as his right shoulder and back, in the offseason to build more stability in his delivery, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks noted that fatigue set in toward the end of his 2019 campaign, and he blamed instability in the lower half of his body for the issue. The right-hander logged 177 innings last year, down from the 199 he posted in 2018. Hendricks said he hopes the offseason conditioning helps him reach 200 innings, a mark he has yet to hit in his six-year MLB career.

Hendricks will not make another start this season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs have yet to announce who will start Sunday's season finale in place of Hendricks, but the right-hander will sit out the rest of the season with Chicago eliminated from the postseason chase. Across 30 starts this season, Hendricks went 11-10 while posting a 3.46 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 150:32 K:BB in 177 innings.

Hendricks (11-10) allowed six runs (five earned) over six innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Pirates. He gave up six hits and struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks was on cruise control through six innings but saw the wheels fall off in the seventh, when he started the frame by allowing five straight hits before getting the hook. Pittsburgh ultimately scored seven times in the inning, dealing a crippling blow to the Cubs' already slim chances of making the playoffs. Hendricks lines up to start one more time this year Sunday against the Cardinals.

Hendricks didn't factor into the decision against the Cardinals on Thursday, giving up four earned runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings, striking out six and walking one as the Cubs eventually fell 5-4.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks had given up just one run in each of his last three starts, but he couldn't keep it going in this contest, with the Cardinals tagging him for three of his four earned runs in the fifth and sixth innings before chasing him from the contest after 95 pitches. The right-hander still sports solid numbers, with a 3.37 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 145:32 K:BB across 171 innings. He's scheduled to take the mound for his final start of the regular season in a Wednesday road matchup against the Pirates.

Hendricks (11-9) picked up the win against the Pirates on Saturday, giving up one run on seven hits over six innings, striking out two and walking none as the Cubs won 14-1.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks was able to cruise to his 11th victory with heavy run support. It was the 29-year-old's third consecutive strong outing, a stretch of starts during which he's logged 17.2 innings while allowing just three earned runs. Overall, Hendricks is sporting a 3.26 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 139:31 K:BB across 165.2 innings. His next start will be Thursday at home against the Cardinals.

Hendricks (10-9) picked up the win against the Padres on Monday, giving up two runs (one earned) on seven hits over 5.2 innings, striking out five and walking one as the Cubs won 10-2.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks did his job in a game where he was spotted plenty of run support, cruising to his 10th victory to mark the third time in the last four seasons he's reached double-digit wins. He's suffered a couple of blowups recently, but it's been another strong campaign overall for the 29-year-old right-hander, who is sporting a 3.33 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 137:31 K:BB across 159.2 innings.