Hendricks took a no-decision Thursday against the Brewers, as he allowed four earned runs over five innings of work. He gave up nine hits and a walk, while striking out one.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks took a step back from his first start of the season, when he allowed just a single run on four hits over six innings against the Marlins. He was victimized by a pair of a two-run home runs from Eric Thames and Travis Shaw. Hendricks will look to limit the long ball and put together a better start his next time out Thursday at home against Pittsburgh.

Hendricks next scheduled start has been moved to Friday against the Brewers, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks had been scheduled to start Thursday's series opener versus Milwaukee. He'll still face the Brewers as planned, but will have an extra day to rest, as Tuesday's game against the Reds was postponed, resulting in Chicago's rotation being pushed back a day.

Hendricks gave up one run on four hits and three walks over six innings while striking out five but had to settle for a no-decision in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander looked good in his first outing of the season, throwing 55 of 88 pitches for strikes, but Hendricks had no chance at a win in a game that wasn't decided until the 17th inning. He'll next take the mound Thursday in Milwaukee.

Hendricks is slated to start the Cubs' second game of the regular season Friday in Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks looked locked in this spring, finishing with a 2.37 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 19 innings. The jump in strikeouts was a nice development for a player with a career K/9 of 8.1, though small sample size caveats have to be applied. The smart money says that Hendricks will see his strikeout rate come down closer to his career mark, but he still figures to be a very strong fantasy pitcher who delivers above-average production in wins, ERA and WHIP

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.