Hendricks (illness) threw a 105-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Bruce Levine of 670thescore.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks was scratched from his scheduled appearance during Tuesday's spring game due to strep throat. There shouldn't be any concern for his availability as Opening Day approaches.

Hendricks was scratched from his scheduled minor-league appearance Tuesday with strep throat, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barring setbacks, Hendricks should be fine by the start of the season. The 28-year-old righty has been excellent so far this spring, striking out 21 batters while walking none in 15 innings.

Hendricks is working with new Cubs pitching coach Jim Hickey to fine-tune his curveball during spring training, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

For his career, Hendricks has used the curve just under 8 percent of the time, so it's not something hitters see that much of. The righty has instead mainly relied on a fastball-changeup combo. Perhaps Hendricks will use the pitch more this season if he becomes more comfortable with it during the spring.

Hendricks said he feels healthier this spring compared to last year, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Last spring, Hendricks dealt with a sore hand, which he attributed to doing too much work on the side. "It made sense with me because at that point in the year, my mechanics weren't solid, so my reps were getting higher because I was trying to find it," Hendricks said. This year, he said he'll do less between spring training starts in an effort to stay fresh. Hendricks is slated to start the Cubs' second game of the regular season against the Marlins.

Hendricks agreed to a one-year, $4.175 million deal with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

This marked his first of three offseasons as an arbitration-eligible player. Hendricks was a vital piece of the Cubs' rotation yet again in 2017, posting a 3.03 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with a 123:40 K:BB over 24 starts. Although his number didn't compare to his phenomenal campaign a year prior, Hendricks delivered with a great second half of the season after returning from right hand tendinitis in late July.

Hendricks will start Game 5 of the NLDS against the Nationals on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks is expected to take the mound against either Gio Gonzalez or Tanner Roark in the decisive Game 5. The 27-year-old picked up a win in Game 1 of the series, tossing seven scoreless innings and allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out six.

Hendricks will start Game 1 of the NLDS against the Nationals on Saturday, Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks will likely take the mound opposite Stephen Strasburg, although Washington hasn't released its rotation just yet, for the opening contest at Nationals Park. Manager Joe Maddon attributed this decision to Hendricks' big-game experience, as well as how he matched up against Washington to go along with his stats in the second half of this season. Following the right-hander will be Jon Lester in Game 2, and then Jose Quintana and Jake Arrieta -- if necessary -- back at Wrigley Field. Since the All-Star break, Hendricks has posted a 2.19 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with a 72:19 K:BB over 13 starts.

Hendricks is a possibility to start Game 1 of the NLDS against the Nationals after his strong finish to the regular season, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Jake Arrieta has been dealing with a hamstring issue and Jon Lester has struggled in September, Hendricks has a 2.01 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 31.1 innings this month. "He might be pitching as well as anybody in the National League right now," manager Joe Maddon said. Maddon didn't go so far as to announce his rotation, and with the series not starting until next Friday, he might wait until next week. However, Hendricks has certainly done enough to earn the nod.

Hendricks allowed just four hits with one walk and nine strikeouts over five scoreless innings in Thursday's no-decision at St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks was removed from the game after 81 pitches in an effort to ensure that his tank will be full for next week's NLDS start against Washington. He was in line for the win with a 1-0 lead upon exiting, but quickly saw that possibility erased when St. Louis generated a sixth-inning run against reliever Justin Grimm. Hendricks wraps up the regular season with a 7-5 record and 3.03 ERA in 24 starts while finishing strong with eight consecutive quality starts prior to this short yet dominant outing.

Hendricks allowed one earned run over six innings in Saturday's loss to the Brewers. He gave up eight hits, posted a 6:1 K:BB, and did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks allowed one earned run or fewer for the seventh time in 12 starts, but the Cubs' offense could not do enough damage to earn him a win Saturday. Hendricks is set to make one more start before the regular season concludes, next week Thursday against the Cardinals.