Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reported Wednesday that the Detroit Tigers have brought in former 12-year MLB pitcher Kyle Hendricks to be a special assistant to the baseball operations department. Hendricks called it quits on his big league career in 2025, and wasted no time getting into a front office role.
Per MLBTradeRumors.com’s Steve Adams, Hendricks is close with Tigers’ president of baseball ops, Scott Harris:
“While Hendricks never pitched for Detroit during his excellent 12-year major league career, he knows both Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris and general manager Jeff Greenberg dating back to the pair’s days in the Cubs’ front office. Stavenhagen adds that Hendricks is expected to focus his efforts on pitching development.”
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Detroit Tigers Hire Kyle Hendricks to Front Office Role
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 28: Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks #28 embraces Patrick Wisdom #16 of the Chicago Cubs after being relieved in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on September 28, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
The Detroit Tigers have a new member of their front office in the form of former World Series Champion pitcher Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks helped the Chicago Cubs win the Fall Classic in 2016.
After leading MLB in ERA (2.13 in 190 innings) in 2016, he posted several quality seasons after that, and was known as a finesse pitcher who limited barrels, didn’t walk hitters, and nibbled around the strike zone.
His 11-year tenure with the Cubs came to an end in 2025 when he signed with the Los Angeles Angels for one season.
Even at age-35, Hendricks was still semi-servicable last year (4.76 ERA in 164.2 innings).
The ultimate example of a reliable pitcher who can take the ball every fifth day and will usually give his team a chance.
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More on Kyle Hendrick’s MLB Career
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Kyle Hendricks #28 of the Los Angeles Angels throws against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 26, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
After all was said and done for Kyle Hendrick’s career, he held a lifetime 3.79 ERA over 301 total starts and 1745 innings.
Hendricks racked up 105 wins to 91 losses, and collected 23.8 total pWAR.
Perhaps his best season of 2016 with the Chicago Cubs, he finished third in NL Cy Young voting that season.
Despite not having what is known as a dominant collection of pitches, he was able to carve out a 12-year MLB career, and one that Cubs fans will always be appreciative of.
As for the move to Detroit, it follows a recent pattern of former MLB players wanting to work in the baseball operations department.
It’s a start for Kyle Hendricks, but his future aspirations remain in question beyond this position, one can assume that once he does his time, promotions will follow.
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Detroit Tigers Announce Hire of Former World Series Champion Pitcher