White Sox's Liam Hendriks makes emotional return to field after striking out cancer

Sara Tidwell

•
White Sox's Liam Hendriks makes emotional return to field after striking out cancer image

Not much is better than watching a cancer survivor ring that bell.

White Sox closer Liam Hendriks got to ring it. A month later, he entered Monday's Memorial Day game against the Angels in the top of the eighth inning, relieving Keynan Middleton.

He allowed three hits, two earned runs and a walk in that frame but had taken his place back on the mound.

Hendriks, 34, was activated from the injured list earlier in the day after completing a rehab assignment and beating Stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

He shared his sentiments after the game about the atmosphere inside Guaranteed Rate Field, adding that he's saving the first ball he threw:

"I think, getting out there, I did take a minute and step and look around the crowd and just soak it all in a little bit better than I had. . . . Getting out there and doing it that way was great. . . . It was a little bit easier to get those competitive juices flowing a little bit more," he said.

But he was not pleased with his performance. 

"Unfortunately, it is what it is. I look at it from the point of, if I didn't give up two runs, that's a tied game, and we're looking to continue playing and every chance to win," he said. Hendriks came in with Chicago trailing 4-3, and the White Sox eventually lost 6-4. 

MORE: White Sox closer to be activated after non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment

Pregame, Hendriks received a standing ovation from the fans in attendance as he walked to the team's bullpen. A group of people held up the letters that spelled "Team Liam," a ribbon and his jersey number.

Hendriks' wife, Kristi, joined him on the field to present a six-figure check to the Lymphoma Research Foundation. The two later shared an embrace.

Here's what you need to know about Hendriks' recovery timeline and return:

Liam Hendriks cancer recovery timeline

Hendriks announced on Jan. 8 that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He was suffering from Stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He kept a positive and confident mindset that it was something he would overcome.

He now believes he had cancer well before it was detected. He said that in June 2022, he discovered lumps in his neck, but a clean blood test discouraged him and doctors from thinking it was cancerous.

MORE: White Sox's Liam Hendriks says he may have pitched with cancer in 2022

Some time later, Hendriks said, he received a PET scan that revealed enlarged lymphomas in his hips. On Dec. 7, the White Sox's team doctor expressed concern about the lymphomas being malignant.

After he announced what was happening, Hendriks began treatment, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, according to NBC Sports. He went through four rounds total, which was enough to eliminate the cancerous threat to his body and send him into remission.

He had his last treatment on April 3 and announced he was cancer-free on April 20.

MORE: White Sox pitcher 'cancer-free' after non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis

Before his return to the roster, he was assigned to complete a rehab assignment with the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Charlotte Knights. That was followed by two live bullpen sessions, the last one on May 26.

Less than five months after his announcement, he was activated. He took the mound for Chicago's May 29 game against the Angels, receiving an outpour of love and admiration.

This article will be updated. 

Sara Tidwell

Sara Tidwell Photo

Sara Tidwell is an editorial intern with The Sporting News. A native to Michigan's Thumb region, she received her Bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University. Previous bylines include the Detroit News, Cincinnati Enquirer, Hartford Courant and The State News.