Hendricks (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Tennessee on Thursday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks landed on the 15-day injured list last week with a lower-back strain but has already made enough progress in his recovery to resume game action. He could need just the one rehab start before returning from the IL, though given his 12.00 ERA and 2.10 WHIP over five outings, Hendricks' performance Thursday may hold significant weight in whether or not he's activated next week.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that they are targeting a rehab start for Hendricks (back) "later this week," Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks posted a 12.00 ERA and 2.10 WHIP over five starts this season before landing on the 15-day IL on April 23 due to a lower-back strain. He had a bullpen session during the Cubs' weekend series against the Red Sox, and the right-hander could be on track to start his rehab assignment this week.

Hendricks (back) will throw a bullpen session this weekend in Boston, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs will map out a plan for Hendricks' rehab based on how he feels during and after the bullpen session. Hendricks was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a lower-back strain. Given his 12.00 ERA in five starts this season, the team might elect to give him ample time on a rehab assignment with the hope that he can get back on track upon returning from the IL.

The Cubs placed Hendricks on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to April 22, with a lower-back injury, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks is going to be out of the Cubs' rotation for at least the next couple weeks. With Justin Steele (hamstring) perhaps beating him back, it's possible Hendricks doesn't have a rotation spot waiting for him when he's ready. The veteran right-hander has posted a 12.00 ERA over five starts this season.

Hendricks (0-3) yielded four runs on six hits over four innings Sunday, striking out five and taking a loss against Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks gave up one run through three innings before Miami tagged on three runs in the fourth. The four runs allowed were his fewest of the year as he's yet to settle in this season. He now owns a 12.00 ERA through 21 innings. Hendricks through 44 of 56 pitches for strikes Sunday and has yet to go deeper than five innings in any start this season. He's currently lined up to take the mound in Boston next weekend.

Hendricks didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing seven runs on five hits and three walks across 4.1 innings against Arizona. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks gave up four extra-base hits on the day, including a solo home run to Joc Pederson and a two-run homer to Lourdes Gurriel. The 34-year-old has given up five or more runs in each of his four starts this season and has surrendered seven home runs in 17.0 innings of work. He's lined up for a decent bounce-back opportunity against the Marlins on Sunday.

Hendricks (0-2) allowed seven runs on nine hits over five innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Padres. He had no walks and struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks has now allowed at least five earned runs in all three of his starts, leaving him with an unsightly 12.08 ERA. Home runs have been a problem, as he's allowed five of them so far. The veteran has also never been known for missing a ton of bats, and that's been the case again this year, as he has just eight strikeouts across 12.2 innings. Hendricks made that approach work in the past, but at this point in his career, it's fair to wonder whether he's slipped a little from a skills standpoint. The righty will be a risky fantasy play in his next scheduled start, which is penciled in for Tuesday on the road against the Diamondbacks.

Hendricks didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Dodgers, allowing five runs on eight hits over four innings. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

After allowing a pair of runs in the first inning, Hendricks held the Dodgers off the board until the fifth when he allowed three more runs before recording an out. It's been a rough start to the campaign for the 34-year-old Hendricks -- he's allowed 10 earned runs on 17 hits through his first two starts (7.2 innings). The right-hander will look to get on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for next week in San Diego.

Hendricks (0-1) took a loss against the Rangers on Saturday, yielding five runs on nine hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Hendricks managed to escape a jam in the first inning but served up two-run home runs in the second and third frames and was chased in the fourth after giving up another tally. The soft-tossing right-hander managed just two whiffs on 72 pitches. Hendricks figures to be startable in more favorable matchups, but this performance is a reminder that you should probably bench him against better offenses.

Hendricks appears to be lined up to start Chicago's second game of the regular season, behind Opening Day starter Justin Steele, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw Steele has emerged as the team's definitive ace, but the rotation gets a little more jumbled after that. Hendricks makes sense in the No. 2 spot, particularly as a veteran righty with Shota Imanaga, Jordan Wicks and possibly Drew Smyly joining Steele as left-handed starting options. Hendricks won't wow with strikeouts, though he's a steady pitcher who recorded a solid 3.74 ERA across 24 starts last season, giving him some fantasy appeal in the right matchups.