Kyle Hendricks has been soaking in every moment at Wrigley Field a little bit more lately. 

The future is always a mystery and Hendricks’ is a little murkier than most — he’s a free agent at the end of the season and only time will tell where he might pitch next year. 

That’s what makes the prospect of next weekend against the Reds so special for Hendricks. He would like nothing more than to pitch in the final series at Wrigley Field in 2024.

“I would love that, obviously. I would line up for it,” Hendricks said after the Cubs’ 5-1 loss to the Nationals on Saturday. “I don’t know what their thinking is, but of course, I would. I just love pitching in general. So, no matter where it would be, I would just love to get the ball and finish it out strong.”

He’s not thinking about next season quite yet. But he’s also not oblivious to the situation. 

Hendricks looks around on days he isn’t pitching and takes in the atmosphere at the ballpark, enjoying the atmosphere and the crowd. On team days off, he comes to the Friendly Confines and basks in the ballpark, too. 

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“It’s been super special,” Hendricks said. “Yeah, I definitely take it in. It’s hard not to when you’re at a setting this cool and fans packing it out every single night. It’s just the best place in the world to play.”

It’s not been the prettiest of rides for Hendricks in 2024. He struggled mightily out of the gate, landed on the IL and sported a 10.57 ERA through 7 starts. He was moved to the bullpen and then eventually slid back into the rotation when injuries struck. It will be the worst season of his career by ERA — he has a 6.28 mark after Saturday’s 5.1 innings of 4-run ball. 

But those struggles have helped him keep that in-the-moment mindset.

“When things aren’t going well, it’s hard to stay in that process and stay in the moment, but I feel like I’ve done a lot better job at that the last two, three months, just focusing on the work, taking it one day, one moment at a time,” Hendricks said. “So still got to stay right there. I know what’s coming in the future, but hopefully, get one more [start] here and stay locked in on the work and do what I got to do.”

That mindset will help him be prepared for next weekend — and whatever comes next. He still wants to pitch in 2025, whether that’s as a starter or reliever, in Chicago or elsewhere. 

“I love pitching, I love competing,” Hendricks said. “I want to be that consistent force again for my teammates, my guys. That’s what I pride myself on. I wasn’t able to do that this year for the majority of the year. 

“No matter what the role is, whenever I have the ball in my hand, being that consistent guy for my teammates and they know what to expect from me.”