Chicago Cubs Kyle Hendricks’ MRI shows shoulder impingement

The Chicago Cubs got the news they expected for Kyle Hendricks MRI, but not the news they wanted as they discovered he’s dealing with a shoulder impingement.

After finding out the Chicago Cubs‘ Kyle Hendricks was dealing with some inflammation in his shoulder, the team decided to get him an MRI. It came as no surprise to the Cubs front office that he was dealing with a shoulder impingement, and now the team will take things slowly with him.

A shoulder impingement, or ‘swimmers shoulder,’ is caused by excessive overhand use of the shoulder. It can start as inflammation, but over time, if not treated, can lead to the rotator cuff tendons thinning or tearing. That’s why GM Jed Hoyer was ‘excited to have caught it so early.

“All the tests confirm sort of what we thought,” Hoyer said. “He was kind of dealing with a little impingement. We feel like we got ahead of it. We’re not sure how much time he’ll miss, but we’ll try to take it slowly.” h/t Jay Cohen, AP Sports Writer

Tyler Chatwood will step in for his next start on Thursday, but the Cubs could make some other moves in the bullpen. Craig Kimbrel is likely to be back soon, so that’s one. The talk of Adbert Alzolay getting his shot, either in the bullpen or the rotation, has been brought up, as well.

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Regardless, the Cubs will take their time with Hendricks, who just signed an extension through 2023. In his eight starts before the Dodgers, he was 6-0 with an ERA of 1.99 with 50 strikeouts to just six walks. All the Cubs pitchers are valuable, but he and Yu Darvish are the only ones locked up for the next several years.

Throwing a baseball–regardless of how hard you throw–is one of the most unnatural motions in sports. You might not figure someone like Hendricks to need Tommy John (they caught it early, so hopefully he won’t need it), but it’s possible in any pitcher. Submariners are less likely to need it because the motion is ‘more’ fluid, but they aren’t exempt.

Looking at the staff, this is why we didn’t trade Chatwood. Or move Mike Montgomery. Having depth and spot starters already on the big league club can make a world of difference instead of bringing a kid up for his first Major League appearance. There’s always a chance the kid could be a superstar, and that could be the case in Alzolay who is one of our best homegrown pitchers–but will it translate to the majors?

Hendricks will likely be out until at least the All-Star Game, and maybe longer. If Chatwood or others can fill his spot adequately, they’ll give his as much time as he needs.

“There’s no question we’ll take the length of the season into account,” said Hoyer.

When he’s right, he’s almost unhittable. That’s the Hendricks we’re going to need every fifth day.