Kyle Hendricks leaves Cubs game early with back stiffness originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
Puppies starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks left Saturday’s game against the Angels early due to back tightness, according to the president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.
“I think he felt it a little bit before the game and just didn’t relax in the game, so he left,” Hoyer said on the game broadcast. “He wasn’t as sharp as usual, he struggled. Typically with Kyle, when you see a lot of soft line drives falling there, it means he’s not as in the zone as he normally is. When he’s right, those balls go to the fielders.
“I feel like that’s what we saw today. He wasn’t at his best. He fought back, but obviously I think it was bothering him.”
Hendricks gave up four hits in two innings but was never hit very hard. He worked around those four hits plus two walks — with some help from his defense — to give up just two runs.
Hendricks is in the midst of the worst season of his career this year. After Saturday’s short start, Hendricks has a 7.53 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP, 47 strikeouts and 20 walks.
