Kyle Hendricks optimistic after injury scare in Cubs win
As history has dictated, every time the Chicago Cubs get on a path to achieving something special, an unforeseen road block pops up to impede their process.
The latest road block appeared to have come in the form of an injury to Kyle Hendricks, who was forced to leave his NLDS Game 2 start after taking an Angel Pagan line drive off his pitching forearm. However, Hendricks was adamant that he will be pitching again this postseason after x-rays came back negative.
Hendricks was also asked post game if he thinks he'll pitch again this postseason: "100 percent." #Cubs @WGNNews
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) October 9, 2016
Hendricks was fortunate that he did not take a direct hit to his forearm or wrist. That’s because a direct hit would not be required to cause damage when the baseball is traveling 94 MPH. Pagan smoked it, and while Hendricks did his best to knock it down, he didn’t have enough time or room. The baseball ended up clipping his arm before drilling him in the belt buckle, which probably didn’t feel any better.
Hendricks attempted to stay in the game, even taking a few warm up tosses. That was quickly halted when the forearm began to tighten up, according to reports. Even if it didn’t appear serious then, both Hendricks and manager Joe Maddon saw no reason to force the issue. Hendricks exited after pitching 3 2/3 innings and allowing two runs.
Oddly enough, the biggest hit in the game to that point came off Hendricks’ bat. His two-run single in the second inning was an early dagger. After leaving, the Cubs bullpen recorded 16 outs to finish off a 5-2 win. They hold a 2-0 lead in the series with a chance to finish it Monday night in San Francisco.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
