Hendricks allowed four runs on four hits (two home runs) and four walks while striking out four batters during Wednesday's win over Milwaukee.

EDGE Analysis

This was the first start of Hendricks' career that he allowed two home runs and four walks in the same outing, so all things considered, he was probably lucky to escape without a loss. After turning in a National League-best 2.13 ERA last season, the pendulum has likely swung too far in the other direction, as Hendricks now sports a 6.19 mark through his first three 2017 outings.

Hendricks (1-1) allowed three runs on six hits and two walks across five innings in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Pirates. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks looked relatively comfortable and allowed just one run through five innings, but he allowed the first two men to reach in the sixth and was pulled before Justin Grimm allowed them both to score. His command was a bit off by his standards, but he still managed to throw 63 percent of his pitches for strikes and was simply made to pay for location-related mistakes. After an outstanding 2016 campaign, Hendricks has underachieved through his first two starts and will carry an unsightly 5.73 ERA to go along with a 1.27 WHIP into Wednesday's outing against the Brewers.

Hendricks (1-0) gave up four runs on five hits and a walk in six innings Saturday, though he struck out six and came away with a win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

He uncharacteristically gave up a pair of homers -- Hendricks allowed just 15 in 30 starts last year -- but he also helped his own cause with a run-scoring infield single. Despite being the Cubs' third-best starter, he's lining up fifth in the rotation right now, which may provide Hendricks extra opportunities to rack up wins, as he's better by far than any other team's No. 5 (like Saturday's starter for the Brewers, Tommy Milone). However, his next start is scheduled for Friday afternoon at home against young Pirates ace Gerrit Cole.

Hendriks allowed two hits and no runs over five innings in Friday's exhibition against Houston.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander looked sharp throughout the contest, a final tune-up before the season gets underway. Hendriks had been battling food poisoning over the past week, but it appears all systems are go as he prepares for his first start, next Saturday in Milwaukee. He'll be looking to build upon a strong 2016 campaign in which he posted a career-best 2.13 ERA over 30 starts.

Hendricks flew back to the Cubs' facility Monday morning after battling food poisoning late Saturday evening, Bruce Levine of 670thescore.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks said Monday that his illness was caused by a late night trip to Taco Bell that did not sit well. Fortunately, the 27-year-old will have plenty of time to get himself ready to go for the regular season considering that he is not slated to start for the Cubs until their fifth game.

Hendricks will pitch in the team's fifth game of the season April 8 in Milwaukee, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Joe Maddon didn't want lefties Brett Anderson and Jon Lester to pitch in consecutive days, so he put Anderson fourth and Hendricks fifth. That means Lester will follow Hendricks in the rotation. But make no mistake, Hendricks is not a typical No. 5 starter-he led the majors with a 2.13 ERA last season.

Hendricks said his goal this season is to toss at least 200 innings, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks threw 190 innings last season, finishing 16-8 with a MLB-best 2.13 ERA . He threw 180 innings in 2015, so he's hoping he can increase by 10 once again. "Two-hundred innings," Hendricks said. "Especially with the staff we've got, everybody holds each other pretty accountable for going deep into games. I definitely want to be on that bandwagon." The righty won't rack up a ton of strikeouts, but he should be very good in the wins, ERA and WHIP categories once again for fantasy owners.

Making his spring training debut, Hendricks pitched two innings and allowed a single hit in Saturday's win against the Dodgers. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks needed just 16 pitches to cruise through the two innings, as the Cubs turned a double play behind him after he allowed a hit. Hendricks led MLB with a 2.13 ERA last season, and while he doesn't offer the strikeout upside of other top fantasy starters, he should still be a very good option on the mound in 2017.

Hendricks will make his spring training debut Saturday against the Dodgers, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs have yet to use any of their top-four starting pitchers this spring, but Hendricks will get some work in this weekend. After pitching a career-high 190 innings last year, expect Hendricks to slowly build up for the start of the season.

Improved command and more effective usage of his secondary pitches helped Hendricks put together his breakout 2016 season, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Statcast, Hendricks had the highest number of pitches that were called strikes outside of the zone in 2016. He also threw more changeups, cutters and curveballs for called strikes than he did in 2015. "I think my command was much better and my mechanics were more solid [in 2016]," Hendricks said. "I could dial in." The stats reflected this, as Hendricks went 16-8 with a MLB-best 2.13 ERA. While that number will almost certainly rise in 2017 given his lack of overpowering stuff, Hendricks appears locked in as a very reliable fantasy option.