Los Angeles Angels right-hander Kyle Hendricks says that news of his imminent retirement was a bit premature.
A USA Today report on Monday stated that Hendricks had begun informing friends about his planned retirement after the 2025 season. On Wednesday, he warned reporters not to believe everything they read.
Hendricks insists his decision on retirement will be made after the season. His final start of the regular season is set for Friday against the Houston Astros.
“I appreciate you giving me the respect of asking me,” Hendricks said to the media Wednesday.
A native of Orange County, Calif., the 35-year-old right-hander is in his first season with the hometown Angels following 11 campaigns with the Chicago Cubs.
Hendricks helped the Cubs end a 108-year World Series championship drought in 2016, leading the majors that season with a 2.13 ERA and finishing third in the National League Cy Young Award voting.
Hendricks is 8-10 with a 4.79 ERA in 30 starts this season, picking up his 100th career win on June 6 against the Seattle Mariners.
He is 105-91 with a 3.79 ERA in 306 career games (300 starts) and has 1,365 strikeouts in 1,740 innings. He is 2-4 with a 3.12 ERA in 12 postseason appearances.
