LAS VEGAS — Kyle Hendricks, the longtime Chicago Cubs right-hander who captured an ERA title and helped deliver a World Series championship during a 12-year big-league career, is retiring, his agent confirmed.
Hendricks, 35, spent last season with the Los Angeles Angels, going 8-10 with a 4.76 ERA. He spent the first 11 years of his career in Chicago, winning 97 games with a changeup-and-sinker approach that routinely frustrated hitters. Over his time with the Cubs he posted a 3.68 ERA and earned the American League title for lowest ERA in 2016 — the same season the Cubs broke their long title drought.
Originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2011, Hendricks was acquired by Chicago the following year and made his major-league debut in 2014. He quickly established himself in the rotation, posting a 2.46 ERA across 13 starts that season.
The 2016 campaign was the pinnacle of his career statistically: Hendricks went 16-8 with a 2.13 ERA, the lowest in baseball. In the postseason he delivered one of his signature performances in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series, holding the Los Angeles Dodgers and ace Clayton Kershaw to nothing over 7 1/3 shutout innings to help send the Cubs to their first pennant since 1945. He also started Game 7 of the World Series, which Chicago won in extra innings to end a 108-year championship drought.
Nicknamed “The Professor,” the Dartmouth alum built a long, successful career despite a fastball that seldom topped 90 mph. His craft, command and pitch sequencing made him effective for more than a decade. In later seasons he became known around the club for mentoring younger pitchers and for a calm, laid-back presence in the clubhouse.
Hendricks received a warm Wrigley Field farewell at the close of the 2024 season, taking a curtain call after throwing 7 1/3 shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds in what was his final start for the Cubs before testing free agency. Teammate Ian Happ praised the veteran: “You could not have drawn that up any better. He’s a perfect example of what it means to be a Chicago Cub — not only what he’s done on the field but who he is as a person. It’s important in this game to honor that.”
According to his agent, Hendricks does not currently plan to pursue coaching or a front-office role. He intends to step away from the game for now and spend time with his family.
