Kyle Hendricks agrees to deal with Angels (source)

ANAHEIM — The Angels have been aggressive early this offseason, and they appear ready to supplement their rotation as they close in on a one-year, $2.5 million deal with veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Wednesday. The club has not confirmed the deal.

Hendricks, 34, would be the latest addition for the Angels, joining outfielder Jorge Soler, infielder Scott Kingery and first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda. Entering 2025, Hendricks has spent his entire 11-year career with the Cubs, helping them win the 2016 World Series. This represents a homecoming for the Orange County native, who attended Capistrano Valley High School in nearby Mission Viejo, Calif.

Hendricks has a career 3.68 ERA in 276 appearances (270) starts but posted a 5.92 ERA with 87 strikeouts, 43 walks and 21 homers allowed in 130 2/3 innings in 2024. He was better in ’23, however, registering a 3.74 ERA with 93 strikeouts, 27 walks and 13 homers allowed in 137 innings.

Much like fellow veteran Tyler Anderson, Hendricks doesn’t offer much in terms of velocity, but the 6-foot-3 right-hander uses deception and a change of speeds to keep hitters off balance. Of all pitchers who threw at least 2,000 pitches last season, Hendricks had the lowest average fastball velocity at 87.7 mph, while Anderson ranked second at 89.4 mph. But velocity isn’t everything, as Anderson was named an All-Star in 2024 and posted a 3.81 ERA in a career-high 31 starts and 179 1/3 innings.

They join several other internal rotation candidates, including José Soriano, Jack Kochanowicz, Reid Detmers, Sam Aldegheri, Caden Dana and Chase Silseth. But lefty Patrick Sandoval will be out for the start of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June, and right-hander Griffin Canning was traded to the Braves last week for Soler.

The Angels, though, could still use another dependable starter and are still likely to add to their infield even after acquiring Kingery in a trade for cash considerations and claiming Noda via waivers.