Chicago Cubs righty Kyle Hendricks put on IL with shoulder strain

MILWAUKEE -- Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a strained right shoulder after leaving his Tuesday night start early due to soreness in the shoulder.

Hendricks had his shortest start of the season, lasting just three innings in the Cubs' 8-3 victory over theMilwaukee Brewers. He threw 69 pitches and his velocity was lower than usual.

Hendricks, 32, said Tuesday night that he felt fine before the game but could tell something was off as soon as he threw his first warm-up pitch. Hendricks went through a similar issue with the shoulder in early June, causing him to take 12 days off between starts.

Hendricks is 4-6 with a 4.80 ERA.

"Being cautious, dealing with this a little bit before, we've got the All-Star break coming up, giving him a little rest and building him back up is the smart thing to do," Cubs manager David Ross said before their Wednesday afternoon game at Milwaukee.

Hendricks said he expects to undergo an MRI. Ross said Wednesday that exam hadn't taken place yet.

The Cubs have been dealing with numerous injuries to their pitching staff. Hendricks joins teammates Alec Mills, Wade Miley, Drew Smyly and Marcus Stroman on the injured list.

The Cubs recalled right-handerAnderson Espinoza from Double-A Tennessee in a corresponding move Wednesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.