Chicago Cubs News: Kyle Hendricks to begin rehab assignment in Triple-A

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks remains on track to return to the Major League team by mid-May and Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reported on Tuesday that Hendricks will begin his rehab assignment with the Iowa Cubs this weekend.

Hendricks has been at the Cubs' Spring Training facility in Arizona since the season started and has been participating in simulated games. Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer provided an update on Hendricks' recovery over the weekend and touched on how the veteran starting pitcher was once again reaching his normal velocity with his fastball.

""We wanted to push his velocity up as much as possible," Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. "When he was winning ERA titles and those things, he was touching 90 and then it had come down. He's not Mason Miller throwing 102 mph, but when he throws 88-90, his changeup is much more effective.""

- Jed Hoyer via MLB dot com

Hendricks' return is coming at an important time for the Cubs. Veteran starting pitcher Jameson Taillon was placed on the injured list with a groin injury last Thursday and the team does have an opening in the starting rotation. Javier Assad got the spot start last Thursday but it remains uncertain how the Cubs will manage the rotation moving forward.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendrick is nearing his return to the Major Leagues.

Taillon was given the 15-day designation but the Cubs have not provided an exact timeline for when he can be expected to return. Taillon's injury could make for an easier path for Hendricks' return to the starting rotation at the Major League level.

Hendricks would occupy Taillon's spot in the rotation and thus prevent the Cubs from having to make a decision yet regarding struggling rookie pitcher Hayden Wesneski. Wesneski, if the struggles continue, may be the odd man out of the rotation once all parties are healthy.

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