This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian’s Cubs Beat newsletter, written this week by MLB.com's Tim Stebbins. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- Kyle Hendricks joked he may need to come up with a celebration. He could at the very least show a little more energy on the mound than what Cubs fans are accustomed to seeing from the stoic veteran. Some of Hendricks’ teammates proposed he grow a beard.

All the humor aside, it’s evident Hendricks is embracing what has been deemed a necessary change for the time being. One of the most consistent starting pitchers from this modern era of Cubs baseball -- and the last remaining piece of the 2016 World Series team -- has accepted a move to the bullpen.

“I'm honestly excited for the opportunity and the challenge, in a way,” Hendricks said Wednesday. “It’s just a big opportunity, obviously, to try and turn things around. I’m still trying to work on things and get some game action, and just try and contribute and help the team win any way I can.”

Hendricks will pitch in relief at least this time through the rotation amid his extended struggles so far this season. In seven starts, the right-hander has a 10.57 ERA, which is worst in the Majors among starters with at least 30 innings pitched.

The 34-year-old has made 254 career appearances, with just one coming out of the bullpen in July 2016. If you count the ‘18 National League Wild Card Game, he has two relief appearances in the Major Leagues.

But as his struggles persisted, Hendricks wasn’t naïve to this move being a possibility.

“It was just going terrible, obviously,” Hendricks said. “You can't put up those kinds of results. We're in a win-now kind of mode, and that's exactly where I want to be. I want to be part of a team that's winning. I just want to be doing my part to contribute to that winning. I wasn't doing that.”

Cubs manager Craig Counsell noted on Tuesday the goal is to get Hendricks back on track and back in the rotation. His presence there provides the team additional flexibility with the rest of the staff, and when Hendricks is in form, he provides quality innings.

Coming out of the bullpen is not entirely foreign to Hendricks, who made 20 relief appearances in the Rangers organization in 2011 (his first Minor League season). It is an adjustment, though, and he is picking teammates’ brains for advice.

“They've been so nice to me and already helped me so much just kind of grasp the role,” Hendricks said. “Grasp how to go about the routine, how to get yourself ready, how to be ready, and then how the game is a little different for relieving when you're in the game rather than starting.”

How often Hendricks is available is something he and the team will continue feeling out. This is a new routine for him, and it will take time for his arm and body to adjust. That balance of a new routine also includes continuing to work to get back on track. But it’s part of the process, and an opportunity Hendricks is grateful to have.

“I think the only way to really work on things is going to be out there in a game,” Hendricks said. “Out there in the game with the hitter in the box, seeing how my stuff is playing and trying to get outs, competing and doing the things right.”