Hendricks was removed in the third inning of Saturday's game against the Angels due to lower back tightness, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks lasted just two innings Saturday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one. The 34-year-old right-hander was on the injured list earlier in the season due to lower-back strain, and it appears he aggravated the injury. Expect an update on the severity of the injury following Saturday's game.

Hendricks (1-6) took the loss Sunday against the Brewers, surrendering seven earned runs on seven hits and one walk in 3.2 innings. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks kept the Brewers off the scoreboard over the first three innings before a disastrous fourth inning in which he gave up seven earned runs, including a grand slam to Brice Turang. The 34-year-old veteran was enjoying a renaissance in June, pitching to a 1.27 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 16:4 K:BB across 21.1 innings before Sunday's disaster. The right-hander will have to go back to the drawing board to improve his ugly 7.48 ERA. His next start is tentatively scheduled for next weekend against the Angels.

Hendricks (1-5) allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four over seven innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks has faced the Giants in each of his two starts since returning to the rotation. He's limited them to three runs over 12.2 innings with a 12:2 K:BB, but he's gone 1-1 in those outings. It's still a positive sign after his awful start to the campaign landed him a demotion to the bullpen, where he surrendered five runs over 14.1 innings across five appearances. He's now at a 6.87 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 43:17 K:BB over 57.2 innings through 14 appearances (nine starts) this year. Hendricks is tentatively projected to make his next start at home in a tough matchup against the Phillies.

Hendricks (1-4) allowed one run on two hits across 5.2 innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Giants. He walked one and struck out eight.

EDGE Analysis

Making his first start since May 17, Hendricks looked sharp, particularly with the season-high eight strikeouts. Since that last start and his shift to the bullpen, the veteran has pitched much better than earlier in the season. Hendricks now has a 2.70 ERA over his last 20 innings pitched including Wednesday's start. He figures to stick in the rotation for now, and his next appearance is tentatively set for Tuesday against the Giants again, this time on the road.

Hendricks is listed as the Cubs' probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Giants at Wrigley Field, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

As anticipated, Hendricks will return from a one-month stint in the bullpen to rejoin the rotation in the spot that had previously fallen to Jordan Wicks (oblique) and Ben Brown (neck), both of whom are now on the injured list. Hendricks won't be returning to a starting role with a bit of momentum; after giving up five earned runs over 5.2 innings between his first two relief outings, the veteran righty righted the ship and tossed 8.2 scoreless frames over his subsequent three appearances. Despite his solid form of late, Hendricks' numbers over a larger sample of seven starts earlier this season were worrisome (10.57 ERA, 1.99 WHIP, 9.3 K-BB% over 30.2 innings), so expectations should be tempered Wednesday. Barring a dramatic turnaround in his performance from earlier in the season, Hendricks will likely be headed to the bullpen once the Cubs get one of Wicks or Brown back from the IL.

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.