Cubs activate Kyle Hendricks from injured listing, possibility Nick Madrigal

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs activated righty Kyle Hendricks from the injured listing in time to start out him in opposition to the New York Mets on Thursday whereas optioning infielder Nick Madrigal to Triple-A Iowa, the staff introduced.

Hendricks, 32, will return to the mound for the primary time since final July after recovering from a capsular tear in his proper shoulder. He made 5 rehab begins at Triple-A this season, compiling a 5.75 ERA over 20.1 innings.

Hendricks is the lone participant left on the roster from the Cubs 2016 World Collection championship and is within the remaining 12 months of his contract although the staff holds an possibility on him for 2024. He has a profession 3.46 ERA over the course of his 9 years which incorporates profitable the ERA title in 2016.

Madrigal’s demotion comes as a shock as the previous fourth decide within the 2018 draft was solely a 12 months faraway from being the Cubs beginning second baseman. However after the staff signed Dansby Swanson – transferring Nico Hoerner to second base – Madrigal was left and not using a place. This season, Madrigal was sharing third base with Patrick Wisdom although solely had a .286 on-base share with three additional base hits – and no dwelling runs.

The emergence of Christopher Morel – he hit 9 dwelling runs in his first 12 video games – made Madrigal’s place weak. The upcoming return of centerfielder Cody Bellinger (knee) additionally was going to eat into enjoying time for Madrigal as Morel will play third when he isn’t the designated hitter.

“We have a whole lot of guys competing for taking part in time over at third base,” supervisor David Ross mentioned. “Simply not a whole lot of room for that talent set proper now. Simply attempting to get him again to having the ability to discover his timing and put good swings on the baseball.” Madrigal was acquired from the White Sox on the commerce deadline in 2021 and has a profession .587 OPS.