Kyle Hendricks injury update: Potential trade bait is out the window

Kyle Hendricks could be a valuable trade commodity this summer but he’s heading for the injured list with shoulder soreness that could complicate matters.

If the Cubs planned to trade Kyle Hendricks before the deadline, the latest news on the pitcher is far from ideal.

On Tuesday, Hendricks managed to pitch three innings before being pulled with shoulder soreness.

That shoulder problem has now landed him on the 15-day injured list.

Kyle Hendricks injury update: Potential trade bait is out the window

Hendricks’ velocity was down in the appearance against the Brewers even though he made it through giving up just two runs on a — Tellez home run.

He has already missed time this season with a shoulder issue, so the fact that he needs to sit out again is a concern.

On the plus side, the two weeks of rest should have the pitcher reactivated with more than a week left before the Aug. 2 trade deadline. He could still be moved to a team looking for a pitcher on the back end of their rotation.

Hendricks put up solid numbers in his late 20s but the last two years have been more of a struggle for the 32-year-old. He’s 4-6 this season with an ERA of 4.80. Last year he was 14-7 with an ERA of 4.77.

He clearly hasn’t been at his best this year. Still, he’s probably of more use to the rebuilding Cubs as a trade asset than a pitcher at this point, especially because they are paying him $14 million per year.

The question is whether his value has been diminished too far by the nagging shoulder issue. Any team that came in to negotiate would have to feel comfortable he’ll even be available for them down the road, and that’s if they were willing to take on most of that contract.