Cubs' Kyle Hendricks Will Make Rehab Start Thursday at Triple-A Iowa

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks is one step closer to making his 2023 debut. Thursday, he will start for the Iowa Cubs, Chicago's Triple-A affiliate, in a rehab assignment. The Iowa Cubs will take on the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Hendricks hasn't pitched last summer, as he recovers from a shoulder injury.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks is one step closer to making his 2023 debut. Thursday, he will start for the Iowa Cubs, Chicago's Triple-A affiliate, in a rehab assignment.

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-Kyle Hendricks gets the rehab assignment start Thursday in Triple-A Iowa

— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) April 25, 2023

The 2016 National League ERA champion did not pitch in the final three months of the 2022 season, as he began rehabilitating his throwing shoulder. Hendricks sustained a capsular tear.

Hendricks was the Opening Day starter for the Cubs in each of the last three seasons, but his shoulder injury prevented him from beginning this year on the Cubs' active roster. Marcus Stroman started for the Cubs on Opening Day in his place. Behind Stroman, the Cubs' pitching rotation has consisted of Drew Smyly, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon and Hayden Wesneski. Wesneski impressed down the stretch of last season, after receiving a September call-up. He aced his audition at spring training to crack the club's Opening Day pitching rotation, as the Cubs sent Adrian Sampson and Javier Assad back down to Triple-A.

Taillon was recently placed on the 15-day Injured List, sustaining a left groin strain. If Hendricks returns before Taillon, he could take his place in the rotation. Taillon signed a four-year, $68 million contract over the winter, so once he is healthy, he will certainly rejoin the Cubs' rotation. The Cubs also signed Drew Smyly to a two-year deal in December, meaning that if the Cubs' rotation is at full-strength, Wesneski will most likely be the odd man out. It seems unlikely that the Cubs would move Taillon or Smyly to the bullpen after committing a combined $87 million to the two starters last winter.

Thursday afternoon, Hendricks will face the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

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