Notes: Hendricks tested; Alzolay hot vs. LA

The next time Kyle Hendricks takes the mound, he will do so in front of a partially filled Wrigley Field on Opening Day.

On Friday, the leader of the Cubs' rotation put the final touches on his spring with one last tuneup in a 5-5 tie with the Giants. It was not all smooth, but Hendricks sidestepped a few obstacles and built up to 85 pitches in parts of five innings of work.

"This is obviously a good test for him," Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said during the Marquee Sports Network broadcast.

One test arrived in the third inning, when Wilmer Flores sent a sharp comebacker off one of Hendricks' legs. The righty was checked, but he completed warmup pitches without incident and finished his outing. Hendricks set down the final nine batters he faced in order.

Another test took place in the second, when Hendricks lost his rhythm for a span of six batters. Three of the five hits (and all three of the runs) he allowed came in the frame, during which Hendricks was pulled with one out to preserve his pitch count. Under 2021 Spring Training rules, he was allowed to re-enter the game in the third.

"As much as it is pitch count," Hottovy said, "it is getting up and the sitting and getting back up again. It's just something these guys have to train and kind of get their bodies back to feeling that fatigue."

Hendricks passed those tests, ending with four strikeouts and no walks allowed in his effort. Now, the right-hander can begin planning for his Opening Day assignment against the Pirates back home in Chicago on Thursday.

"Stamina-wise, health-wise, strength-wise, I feel ready to go," Hendricks said earlier this week. "We know where we want to end up at the end of the season, but getting off to a strong start and kind of setting that tone is always super important."

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Ross: Alzolay gave 'real glimpse' of potential
The Dodgers sent a lineup full of reigning World Series champions to Sloan Park on Thursday night. It was a real test for Adbert Alzolay, who continued his push for an Opening Day job with an impressive outing.

"A lot of All-Stars in that lineup," Cubs manager David Ross said Friday morning. "Really good veteran group that knows how to have really good at-bats. Adbert looked as sharp as anybody last night. One of our better options. Looked really strong."

Alzolay -- who is competing for a spot as a starter or multi-inning reliever -- struck out five with one walk in 3 2/3 innings. Both runs charged to his line came after his exit. The righty located his fastball well, especially up in the strike zone, and spun some eye-opening swing-and-miss sliders.

"He looked like a Major League starter to me," Ross said. "He looked really sharp. He's kind of trending in the right direction, in my opinion. That was a real glimpse into what I thought he looked like last year."

Joc keeps raking
Joc Pederson launched a pair of home runs in Friday's game against the Giants, marking the Cubs left fielder's second multihomer performance of the spring. It also gave Pederson seven shots in Cactus League play with his new team.

What was notable about Pederson's blast in the fifth inning was the fact that the homer (his second of the afternoon) came off lefty José Álvarez. The Cubs plan on giving Pederson a chance to be their everyday left fielder, following a career spent mostly as a versus-righties bat.

"I know what I can do," Pederson said earlier this spring. "I'm not going to add pressure, like, 'I've got to do this for you or for them.' No, I know what type of player I am. To get the opportunity, it's going to be fun. It's going to be a fun year in Chicago, so I'm excited."

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Worth noting
• P.J. Higgins (non-roster) is in the driver's seat for an Opening Day job as the backup catcher behind Willson Contreras. Higgins has caught most of Chicago's starters in Cactus League games this spring, but Friday was his first pairing with Hendricks.

"Every guy I talk to loves P.J.," Hendricks said earlier this week. "Every guy's said that he's very quick to learn you as a pitcher and learn your strengths and what you're going to do. It's an easy process, and I'm super excited. He's a great dude. Puts in all the work. Deserves everything he gets."

• Ross has left open the possibility that Kris Bryant could play some limited outfield this season. That said, Bryant has not logged any Cactus League innings beyond the infield. Ross said he trusts Bryant's ability to handle outfield or first base, if needed.

"I know he can play out there," Ross said. "He's a very versatile player, and he gets work in in other spots when he needs it. If I ask him to move somewhere else, I understand what I'm getting. I also want to keep him fresh and keep him with a clear mind and get him ready."

• Ross noted that right-hander Alec Mills was scheduled to get his work done in a "B" game environment on Friday morning. Starter Trevor Williams took the same approach on Thursday morning.

Quotable
"Everybody about this time is about ready to go. Last night, it felt a little closer to Opening Day, just because of the night game and with the Dodgers being in town and their 'A' lineup and our 'A' lineup out there. It was pretty good. It just felt real." -- Ross

Up next
Right-hander Shelby Miller is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Saturday, when the Reds host the North Siders in an 8:05 p.m. CT Cactus League clash at Goodyear Ballpark. A non-roster invitee, Miller is vying for a spot on Chicago's Opening Day pitching staff.