How Cubs will decide timing of Hendricks' next start

Share

The timing of Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks’ next start will depend on his symptoms and further COVID-19 test results.

“We’ll slide him back in the rotation as soon as possible if he's feeling fine in a day or two and all the tests continue to come back negative,” Cubs manager David Ross said Wednesday.

Hendricks was originally scheduled to pitch at Milwaukee on Tuesday, but he wasn’t feeling well, and the Cubs announced 20 minutes before first pitch that they were scratching him from the lineup. Alec Mills took his place on the mound in the Cubs’ 3-2 win against the Brewers.

Hendricks traveled back to Chicago on Wednesday ahead of the team. According to the Cubs, Hendricks said he was feeling better Wednesday.

“With a couple positive (COVID-19 tests) on the coaching staff,” Ross said, “we have to be ultimately conservative when it comes to guys just having a runny nose or a little stopped up and congested. We have to really be careful and make sure we're being diligent.”

In the past week, Cubs first base coach Craig Driver and bullpen coach Chris Young have tested positive for COVID-19. The Cubs have placed four players on the COVID-19 related injured list in the past two days, but Ross said Tuesday that no players had tested positive for COVID-19.

On Wednesday, the Cubs reinstated reliever Jason Adam from the COVID-19 related IL.

Hendricks, though separated from the team, has not gone to the IL. According to Ross, Hendricks said Tuesday that he felt like he could pitch.

Said Hoyer: “In a typical non-COVID situation, he would have gutted it out. I think he said he had pitched like this dozens of times in his life.”

With Adam reinstated, three Cubs players remain on the COVID-19 related IL: relievers Dan Winkler and Brandon Workman, and infielder Matt Duffy.

“I think all our guys, including Kyle, are commendable for coming in and reporting these things,” Ross said of players reporting their symptoms to trainers, “and not just looking out for themselves, but looking out for the group.”

Contact Us