(670 The Score) In the hours before his scheduled start Tuesday evening in Milwaukee, Cubs ace Kyle Hendricks wasn't feeling well.
Hendricks told the Cubs he has pitched through congestion and fatigue before, but the circumstances Tuesday were different. Over the last week, two coaches on the staff have tested positive for COVID-19 and four players were moved into isolation as a precaution. As a precautionary measure, Hendricks was scratched from his start and is returning to Chicago on Wednesday.
Hendricks hasn't tested positive for the virus, the Cubs said, but the break from baseball Wednesday and the scheduled off day Thursday offer additional time for testing to make sure he's fine.
"We had to act out of an abundance of caution," Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said.
Cubs infielder Matt Duffy and relievers Jason Adam, Dan Winkler and Brandon Workman have all been placed on the COVID-19 related injured list, but none have tested positive, manager David Ross said. All four players have dealt with mild symptoms of illness, which is why precautions are being taken. The Cubs haven't placed Hendricks on that reserve list. The team hasn't determined when he will pitch next.
In 2020, the Cubs were the lone team in baseball to not have a single player test positive for the virus after intake testing in early July and through the end of the season. The Cubs are still working through getting their traveling party vaccinated.
Without Hendricks, Cubs right-hander Alec Mills stepped in to start in Chicago's 3-2 win against Milwaukee at American Family Field on Tuesday. The two teams will play the series finale Wednesday, with first pitch scheduled for 12:40 p.m. CT. The game can be heard on 670 The Score.
Prior to first pitch, the Cubs also activated catcher Austin Romine from the injured list. Catcher Tony Wolters was designated for assignment.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.