The Chicago Cubs’ pitching rotation may undergo significant changes heading into 2025, as the team could part ways with veteran starter Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks, the longest-tenured player on the roster, has been a fixture in the Cubs’ rotation since 2014 but is facing an uncertain future after a difficult season.
For the first time in his career, Hendricks was demoted to the bullpen due to performance struggles. He made five relief appearances, his first regular-season bullpen stint since 2016, with another coming during the 2018 Wild Card game against the Colorado Rockies. This season, Hendricks has posted a 6.28 ERA across 28 appearances, 23 of which were starts, totaling 123.1 innings pitched. His final start with the only team he’s ever known may come on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field.
While unsure of his future, Hendricks expressed confidence in the Cubs’ future rotation, particularly praising teammate Justin Steele. Watching Steele pitch four innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, Hendricks lauded the leadership and competitive spirit Steele brings to the team.
“My confidence level could not be any higher,” Hendricks said, as quoted by Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. “With Steeley—what he’s shown, who he is—if he’s healthy and he’s out there, he’s a top starter in the league. When he’s out there, he’s absolutely dominant. And just what he provides for the identity of a rotation—he’s a bulldog.”
Hendricks, who benefited from the guidance of veteran pitchers like Jon Lester, John Lackey, and Jake Arrieta early in his career, is now passing that wisdom down to Steele, who is hitting his stride at 29. Steele’s 2024 season included 24 starts, a 5-5 record, and a 3.07 ERA across 134.2 innings with 135 strikeouts, proving that his 2023 All-Star campaign and fifth-place finish in Cy Young voting were no fluke despite some injuries.
As Hendricks’ time with the Cubs may be nearing an end, the team’s pitching future looks bright with Steele at the helm.