Hendricks 'starting to click' as Cubs host Braves

CHICAGO -- Kyle Hendricks is clearly back in good standing in the Chicago Cubs' rotation.

That's positive news for a team heading into September and pondering a starting staff for the postseason and defense of its 2016 World Series championship.

Hendricks will attempt to maintain his strong form Thursday when he pitches the opener of a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs right-hander was absent for seven weeks with right hand tendinitis earlier this summer, but he has worked seven respectable starts since he returned July 24.

While he hasn't allowed more than three runs in an outing since coming off the disabled list, he hadn't earned a win in that span before Saturday at Philadelphia. He allowed just two runs on six hits in seven innings and struck out a season-high eight in the Cubs' 17-2 win over the Phillies.

"I (felt) more connected with my mechanics," Hendricks said. "It's been a process the last four or five games, and it's starting to click."

Hendricks (5-4, 3.45 ERA) will pitch Thursday against Braves left-handed rookie Sean Newcomb (2-7, 4.36).

The Cubs swept three games in Atlanta last month.

Hendricks is steadily working his way back to the form he exhibited in 2016, when he went 16-8 with an National League-best 2.13 ERA.

"He came out with a little better velocity and better location," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said after a no-decision outing earlier this month. "Every pitch was working for him. He threw the curveball for a strike. He threw the four-seamers really well, up to 87 mph. Everything was right on. He pitched really well. That was more typical of Kyle. I was very pleased."

In three career appearances (two starts) against the Braves, Hendricks has no decisions and a 2.84 ERA. He has not faced Atlanta this year.

Newcomb, 24, snapped a five-game losing streak on Aug. 20 when he tossed five shutout innings in an 8-1 Braves victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

"It's not perfect, but he doesn't ever give in, and his stuff is live," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. "There's a lot to like there."

Newcomb followed up with a 4 2/3-inning no-decision Saturday against the Colorado Rockies. He gave up four runs on seven hits.

Newcomb lost in his only start vs. the Cubs. He gave up five runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings during a 5-1 defeat on July 18 at SunTrust Park.

While Chicago was completing a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 17-3 win Thursday, there was some bad news for the Cubs.

Maddon said shortstop Addison Russell experienced a setback in his recovery from a foot injury and further medical evaluation was planned on Thursday.

Russell had been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa and was pulled from the lineup Wednesday. Earlier in the week, there was speculation that Russell's return was imminent.

Javier Baez has filled in at shortstop since Russell went on the disabled list in early August, and Baez has seven homers and 24 RBI this month.

The Cubs enter the Atlanta series with a 3 1/2-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.