Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Friday's loss to the Cardinals that Hendricks is likely to take Jordan Wicks' (oblique) spot in the rotation, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks came on in relief for the injured Wicks in the second inning Friday and tossed 4.1 scoreless frames. The veteran right-hander has been disastrous on the whole this season with an 8.20 ERA, but he hasn't been scored upon over his last 8.2 innings out of the bullpen. Hendricks would tentatively be lined up to start Wednesday at home versus the Giants.

Hendricks tossed 4.1 scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 3-0 loss to the Cardinals. He allowed two hits and struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Chicago starter Jordan Hicks departed after just 1.2 innings due to an oblique injury, which pushed Hendricks into action. The veteran responded well and had perhaps his best outing of the season, giving the Cubs some much-needed length out of the bullpen. While Hendricks still has an ugly 8.20 ERA overall, he's been better lately with 8.2 scoreless innings over his last three appearances. However, Hendricks still has limited fantasy appeal in his current long-relief role.

Hendricks tossed three scoreless innings of relief in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Reds. He allowed three hits and two walks, while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

While it wasn't the cleanest outing, it was a step in the right direction for Hendricks. In his first two appearances since getting moved to the bullpen at the end of May, the veteran had allowed five earned runs across 5.2 innings. Hendricks still has an ugly 9.38 ERA overall, and his fantasy value has mostly vanished in this long-relief role, but he could push to rejoin the rotation at some point if he strings together some effective performances.

Hendricks allowed two runs on four hits across two innings of relief in Thursday's 3-0 loss to Atlanta. He walked one and struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

After allowing eight runs (seven earned) across 4.2 innings in his last start to push his ERA up to 10.57, Hendricks got bumped to the bullpen. The veteran made his first relief appearance of the season Thursday, and while he actually lowered his ERA to 10.47, it wasn't a particularly inspiring effort. Hendricks has never been a big strikeout pitcher, relying instead on sharp control to fuel his success, but he's fallen off in a big way so far this year. The righty has limited fantasy appeal in his current role.

Manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday that Hendricks will pitch out of the bullpen moving forward, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander enjoyed a resurgent 2023 with a 3.74 ERA in 24 outings, but this season has been a disaster with a 10.57 ERA across 30.2 innings. A return to the rotation could be in store if Hendricks is able to get on track out of the bullpen. He has just one non-playoff relief appearance during his 11-year MLB career.

Hendricks (0-4) took the loss Friday against the Pirates, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 11 hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks started the day well, allowing just one hit through his first two scoreless innings. However, Jared Triolo would snap a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the third before the Pirates tacked on three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings, sticking Hendrick's with his fourth loss. It's been a brutal start to the year for the veteran right-hander -- Hendricks has now allowed five or more runs in five of his first seven outings. His ERA is up to 10.57 with a 1.99 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB across 30.2 innings this year. Things won't get any easier for Hendricks in his next start -- he's' currently in line for a tough home matchup with Atlanta.

Hendricks didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Pittsburgh, allowing one run on two hits and four walks across five innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks was placed on the IL on April 23 with a lower back strain, a move that followed an extremely uncharacteristic start to the season. Prior to the injury, Hendricks stumbled to a 12.00 ERA and a 2.10 WHIP with eight homers allowed across 21.0 innings. Considering Hendricks had allowed 28 combined home runs over 221.1 innings the past two seasons and owned a 3.54 career ERA before 2024, Sunday's start was much more in line with Hendricks' averages. While one solid start doesn't mean fantasy managers should expect the Hendricks of old moving forward, it's a positive sign amid a not-so-positive season for Hendricks. He's lined up for a rematch with the Pirates on Friday.

The Cubs reinstated Hendricks (back) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Sunday in Pittsburgh, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs initially planned to have Hendricks make the third start of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, but he'll end up returning from the IL earlier than expected after rotation mate Jameson Taillon (back) wasn't available to start this weekend. Hendricks struck out 13 and allowed just three walks while giving up three runs over 9.1 innings between his two rehab outings, but he struggled mightily over his first five starts with the Cubs before landing on the shelf (0-3 record, 12.00 ERA, 2.10 WHIP in 21 innings).

Hendricks (back) will rejoin the Cubs' rotation on Sunday in Pittsburgh, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks had been slated to make one more rehab start, but Jameson Taillon (back) isn't quite ready to start Sunday so Hendricks will take the ball that day for the big club instead. The veteran hurler has been sidelined for the last three weeks with a lower-back strain but pitched well in two rehab outings, allowing three runs with a 13:3 K:BB in 9.1 frames. Hendricks held a woeful 12.00 ERA in five starts before getting injured, so fantasy mangers certainly need to see something positive before entrusting the righty.

Hendricks (back) will make another rehab start at Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks made his first rehab start at Triple-A (second overall) on Tuesday, allowing one earned run in 4.1 innings while striking out six batters and walking three. He'll remain in the minors for another start, though there is no telling whether or not he'll be pulled off his assignment after Sunday's outing. If his next start does end up being his final appearance in the minors, Hendricks would be lined up to start May 17 against the Pirates.