Cubs Place Hendricks and Smyly on IL, Recall Wesneski, Little, and Mervis

The Chicago Cubs have placed pitchers Kyle Hendricks and Drew Smyly on the 15-day injured list, the team announced on Tuesday. Hendricks was placed on the IL with a lower back strain, while Smyly is dealing with a right hip impingement.

To fill their roster spots, the Cubs have recalled right-hander Hayden Wesneski and left-hander Luke Little from Triple-A Iowa. Wesneski, 25, impressed in a brief call-up last week and will likely be a candidate to start in Hendricks' spot in the rotation. Little, 23, has appeared in 8 games for the Cubs this season, posting a 2.35 ERA.

The Cubs also designated first baseman Garrett Cooper for assignment and recalled first base prospect Matt Mervis from Iowa. Mervis, 26, made his MLB debut with the Cubs last season but struggled, batting.167/.242/.289 with three home runs and 32 strikeouts in 27 games. He has been off to a strong start in Triple-A this year, hitting.288 with 5 home runs and 13 RBIs in 18 games.

Why this matters: The roster moves come as the Cubs are entering a stretch of 16 games in as many days. Hendricks has struggled mightily to begin the season, with a 12.00 ERA through five starts, while Smyly had been a multi-inning option out of the bullpen. The Cubs are hoping Wesneski and Little can provide stability to the pitching staff, while Mervis gets another chance to prove himself at the big league level.

Hendricks, 34, is 0-3 with a 12.00 ERA in five starts this season, allowing major league highs of eight home runs and 28 earned runs. "Kyle's had a tough go of it so far," Cubs manager David Ross said. "We're going to get him back to health and work on getting him back to the Kyle we know he can be."

Smyly, 34, has a 4.97 ERA in 12 2/3 innings of relief work this season. He last pitched on Sunday against the Marlins and will be eligible to return from the IL on May 7.

Cooper, 33, signed a minor league deal with the Cubs in April and was batting.270 with one home run and six RBIs in 12 games. The Cubs now have a week to trade him or place him on waivers.

Key Takeaways

• Cubs place Hendricks, Smyly on 15-day IL; recall Wesneski, Little from Triple-A
• Hendricks struggling with 12.00 ERA, Smyly has 4.97 ERA in relief this season
• Cubs designate 1B Garrett Cooper for assignment, recall prospect Matt Mervis
• Roster moves made as Cubs face 16 games in 16 days stretch
• Cubs hope Wesneski, Little can provide stability to pitching staff, Mervis another chance