The long road to recovery for Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks has reached one of its most important stages.
The Cubs confirmed Tuesday that Hendricks is expected to pitch for Triple-A Iowa as part of a rehabilitation assignment Thursday at Principal Park. Hendricks has not pitched in the big leagues since July 5, 2022, due to a shoulder injury.
The Iowa Cubs play the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, at 12:08 pm Thursday. Hendricks, the last remaining member of Chicago’s 2016 World Series championship team, is expected to be on the mound following a successful bullpen session Tuesday.
It has been a long time coming for the 33-year-old right-handed pitcher. He’s been dealing with a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the remainder of last season and the start of this season. Hendricks recently threw a three-inning simulated game in Arizona.
He’s set to face real competition Thursday. Hendricks won 10 games with Iowa in 2014 and has been a mainstay in Chicago’s rotation ever since.
Hendricks has posted an 86-61 record with a 3.46 ERA in parts of nine big-league seasons, all with the Cubs.
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at [email protected] or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Chicago Cubs star Kyle Hendricks to make rehab appearance with Iowa Cubs