Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks left his start Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers (GameTracker) after three rounds due to “right shoulder soreness,” According to Jordan Bastian. Hendricks previously missed 12 days in June with a similar issue, although it’s unclear how this match compares to that one.
Hendricks’ saw him against the Brewers which allowed him to run twice on two strokes and walk twice over the course of three innings. He hit four of the 13 hits he faced. On a troubling note, Hendrix’s slick ball speed clocked in at 85.7 mph, or nearly a point below his seasonal average of 86.5 mph, according to Statcast data.
Hendricks, 32, came in on Tuesday after starting 15 games this season. In those appearances, he has accumulated a 4.76 ERA (90 ERA+) and a 2.82 strike-to-walk ratio. His overall numbers don’t reveal the volatile nature of his season. Hendricks has either allowed one or fewer runs or five or more runs on 10 of his 15 outings listed above.
Hendrix, who has a guaranteed year left on his contract, could in theory be an attractive business target for a team looking for a back-to-date type. We’ll see how long, if any, Hendrix will miss this, and what he will do to his chances of progressing before the August 2 deadline. However, it is fair to think that teams may have reservations about trading a bowler who has suffered shoulder problems twice in a month.
The Cubs entered Tuesday with a record 32-48 on the season, bringing them back 14 games in the National Central League. The Cubs are set to wrap up their three-game streak against the Brewers on Wednesday before opening a four-game set in Los Angeles against the Dodgers on Thursday.
