Kyle Hendricks left his start Saturday after two innings because of tightness in his lower back, but the veteran righty is confident he’ll be able to start sometime next weekend in St. Louis.
“Whenever it is, that will give me plenty [of time],” Hendricks said. “Three days off here on the front end should be plenty.”
Hendricks felt a spasm Friday that locked up his lower back and thought it would loosen by Saturday. That didn’t happen, and Hendricks made it through just the two innings against the -Angels and allowed two runs.
“I just wasn’t effective, obviously,” Hendricks said. “[Cubs manager] Craig [Counsell] saw it. I was just trying to go out there and give as much quality as I could.”
The Cubs put Hendricks on the 15-day injured list April 22 with a lower back strain and activated him May 12. He said this is a different situation than what happened then.
If Hendricks misses his next outing, one option to make the start could be Javier Assad (right forearm strain). Counsell said the Cubs are optimistic Assad could contribute this week, which would be valuable because of their doubleheader Saturday against the Cardinals.
