Hendricks (back) will throw a bullpen session this weekend in Boston, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs will map out a plan for Hendricks' rehab based on how he feels during and after the bullpen session. Hendricks was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a lower-back strain. Given his 12.00 ERA in five starts this season, the team might elect to give him ample time on a rehab assignment with the hope that he can get back on track upon returning from the IL.

The Cubs placed Hendricks on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to April 22, with a lower-back injury, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks is going to be out of the Cubs' rotation for at least the next couple weeks. With Justin Steele (hamstring) perhaps beating him back, it's possible Hendricks doesn't have a rotation spot waiting for him when he's ready. The veteran right-hander has posted a 12.00 ERA over five starts this season.

Hendricks (0-3) yielded four runs on six hits over four innings Sunday, striking out five and taking a loss against Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks gave up one run through three innings before Miami tagged on three runs in the fourth. The four runs allowed were his fewest of the year as he's yet to settle in this season. He now owns a 12.00 ERA through 21 innings. Hendricks through 44 of 56 pitches for strikes Sunday and has yet to go deeper than five innings in any start this season. He's currently lined up to take the mound in Boston next weekend.

Hendricks didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing seven runs on five hits and three walks across 4.1 innings against Arizona. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks gave up four extra-base hits on the day, including a solo home run to Joc Pederson and a two-run homer to Lourdes Gurriel. The 34-year-old has given up five or more runs in each of his four starts this season and has surrendered seven home runs in 17.0 innings of work. He's lined up for a decent bounce-back opportunity against the Marlins on Sunday.

Hendricks (0-2) allowed seven runs on nine hits over five innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Padres. He had no walks and struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks has now allowed at least five earned runs in all three of his starts, leaving him with an unsightly 12.08 ERA. Home runs have been a problem, as he's allowed five of them so far. The veteran has also never been known for missing a ton of bats, and that's been the case again this year, as he has just eight strikeouts across 12.2 innings. Hendricks made that approach work in the past, but at this point in his career, it's fair to wonder whether he's slipped a little from a skills standpoint. The righty will be a risky fantasy play in his next scheduled start, which is penciled in for Tuesday on the road against the Diamondbacks.

Hendricks didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Dodgers, allowing five runs on eight hits over four innings. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

After allowing a pair of runs in the first inning, Hendricks held the Dodgers off the board until the fifth when he allowed three more runs before recording an out. It's been a rough start to the campaign for the 34-year-old Hendricks -- he's allowed 10 earned runs on 17 hits through his first two starts (7.2 innings). The right-hander will look to get on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for next week in San Diego.

Hendricks (0-1) took a loss against the Rangers on Saturday, yielding five runs on nine hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks managed to escape a jam in the first inning but served up two-run home runs in the second and third frames and was chased in the fourth after giving up another tally. The soft-tossing right-hander managed just two whiffs on 72 pitches. Hendricks figures to be startable in more favorable matchups, but this performance is a reminder that you should probably bench him against better offenses.

Hendricks appears to be lined up to start Chicago's second game of the regular season, behind Opening Day starter Justin Steele, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw Steele has emerged as the team's definitive ace, but the rotation gets a little more jumbled after that. Hendricks makes sense in the No. 2 spot, particularly as a veteran righty with Shota Imanaga, Jordan Wicks and possibly Drew Smyly joining Steele as left-handed starting options. Hendricks won't wow with strikeouts, though he's a steady pitcher who recorded a solid 3.74 ERA across 24 starts last season, giving him some fantasy appeal in the right matchups.

Hendricks, who allowed three runs over 3.1 innings in a Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks on Friday, now has a 7.56 ERA this spring.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks has made three short appearances so far in camp and has allowed runs each time. It's a small sample size of only 8.1 total innings, so alarm bells don't need to go off yet. However, fantasy managers may want to see the veteran righty get going a bit before the regular season to feel better about his prospects early in the year. Hendricks at least looks healthier this spring compared to last, when he had his throwing routine bumped back due to his recovery from a capsular tear in 2022.

Hendricks, who threw a bullpen session Saturday, is ramping up earlier this spring compared to last year, when he was returning from a shoulder injury, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks had his 2022 campaign cut short due to a capsular tear in his right shoulder, and the injury also impacted him in 2023, as the veteran didn't throw his first spring bullpen until Feb. 24. He then didn't make a regular-season start until May as the team built him up slowly. It looks like Hendricks is healthier to kick off this season, so he stands a decent chance of surpassing the 24 starts and 137 innings he compiled in 2023. If the righty can maintain or improve upon his 3.74 ERA and 1.20 WHIP from last season, he should be a solid fantasy option in 2024.