Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks reacts to bullpen demotion calmly originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
After a career-worst start to the season, which included a 10.57 ERA in seven starts with an 0-4 record, former team ace Kyle Hendricks will now be pitching out of the bullpen, Puppies manager Craig Counsell told reporters Tuesday.
The move comes on the heels of a stint on the injured list that was followed by two games with mixed results in May.
Hendricks reacted to the manager’s decision before Wednesday’s game against the Braves.
“We all know what’s going on,” he told reporters in the dugout. “I’m just trying to give the team the best chance to win at the end of the day. And that’s all I’m trying to do too, so I’m honestly excited about the opportunity and the challenge in a way.”
After allowing just two hits and one run with four hits and five strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 12, Hendricks was attacked by the same club at Wrigley Field five days later.
Allowing 11 hits and seven earned runs in 4.2 innings, the start maintained Hendricks’ double-digit ERA throughout the season, leading to the veteran’s demotion. He was not surprised by the decision.
“You wait for something to happen,” he said. “It was going terrible, obviously. You can’t put up that kind of result. We’re in a ‘win now’ mode, and that’s exactly where I want to be. I want to be part of a team that’s winning. I just want to be doing the my part to contribute so that I wasn’t doing this.
“I hope I can work on the things I need to, turn things around and help the team get some wins.”
Counsell told reporters that the length of Hendricks’ bullpen gig will be measured “day by day.”
“The goal is still to get Kyle on the right track and get him back in the rotation.”
Hendricks, however, said he is taking it one move at a time. His goal now is to focus on his process and he believes this stint in the bullpen will help simplify his game.
“Not having the full start in front of you, trying to get deep into the game or something like that. Literally just taking one pitch at a time, one hitter at a time, trying to get one.”
Opting for a $16.5 million deal through 2024, Hendricks has appeared out of the bullpen just once in the regular season in 11 big league seasons.
