Kyle Hendricks usually takes a few months off after a season before starting to play baseball. There was nothing typical about the past year, however, the Cubs’ rotation leader changed his off-season program.
With less mileage on his arm during the short 2020 season, Hendricks only rested for a few weeks before returning to play every few days. Nobody knows for sure the price that the disjointed campaign can have in the arms of the pitchers this season, but Hendricks feels well positioned for a return to the normality of 162 games.
“I think I’m ready to take on a full charge again,” said Hendricks via Zoom on Wednesday. “I know what it’s like to go through a full season, so I can trust that experience.”
Hendricks may be predicting a normal workload for the season, but coach David Ross said he and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy will remain cautious.
“We have to be careful with that,” said Ross. “I think Kyle is a guy who keeps himself in great shape; it is very durable and we trust the inputs it can give us. But let’s be smart. We will receive feedback from the player. Performance is important to many of these guys. And the data will give us some information throughout the season. “
The back of Hendricks’ baseball card shows an ERA of 2.88 at 81 1/3 innings last season, marking the third highest number of innings in the Majors. This does not include any shift recorded by the dexter during spring training, during the stoppage period or at summer camp.
All things considered, Hottovy estimated in this off-season that Hendricks ‘total entries were “close to 120” in 2020. Looking at Hendricks’ career, he recorded 139 2/3 entries in 17 and had no trouble jumping to 199 frames in 18. In 2016 and 18, the right reached 200 entries if you include the postseason.
At the moment, Hendricks projects to be the number one starter for the Cubs, with Jake Arrieta and Zach Davies behind him. Weapons like Trevor Williams, Alec Mills, Adbert Alzolay and Kohl Stewart will also compete for jobs. There are question marks on each launcher, so Hendricks wants to be a source of stability.
“I just want to be there,” said Hendricks, “be that consistent strength for these guys, get the ball every five days and they know what they can get out of me.”
And while Ross plans to be cautious about Hendricks’ workload, the manager also knows what to expect.
“He played a full game last year on Opening Day,” said Ross. “So, I have a lot of confidence in Kyle.”
Hughes, Mowins and Myers join the Marquee team
The Marquee Sports Network announced on Wednesday that Pat Hughes, Beth Mowins and Chris Myers will assist in the play-by-play coverage of the Cubs games during the 2021 season. The trio will help fill in when Jon “Boog” Sciambi is out of the cabin. TV.
When Mowins calls her first game, she will become the first woman to announce the Cubs’ game-by-game history in the team’s history. She has acted as an ESPN announcer since 1994, calling mainly for male and female college sports.
“It is an honor and privilege to work with a franchise as beloved and historic as the Chicago Cubs,” Mowins said in a statement. “I am thrilled to be part of the Marquee Sports Network team and look forward to working alongside some of the best in the business this season.”
Hughes, who has long been the voice of Cubs on radio 670 The Score, is entering its 26th season calling games for the football club. Myers has been an announcer for over 30 years at FOX Sports and hosts the “Chris and Tell” program at Marquee.
worthless
• Ross noted on Wednesday that the intercostal painkiller Rowan Wick is dealing with is related to the left oblique setback that ended his season in September. There is no timetable for Wick’s return when the camp opens.
“He was feeling better and then he started shooting. It is still a little uncomfortable,” said Ross. “There is literally zero reason to rush anything now, and we want this guy to be healthy.”
• Marquee Sports Network plans to broadcast all 14 Cubs’ Spring Training games in Sloan Park, Arizona. Chicago starts its Cactus League slate on March 1 against the Padres on the road and debuts at home on March 2 against Kansas City.
Quotable
“As a fan, you fall in love with the players. But there is also an opportunity in the absence of great players who move on. There is an opportunity for the next family name, the next guy, the next guy who will put his mark on the Cubs, the organization and the victory. I don’t know who this guy is. We have ideas of who these great players could be, but they have to prove it and I find it exciting. ” – Ross