The Boston Red Sox didn't make many impactful moves in the offseason, but one signing they did make was bringing in right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks on a two-year, $10 million deal.
Hendriks, 35, has spent all of the 2024 season to this point recovering from Tommy John surgery he had last August which came after he battled cancer earlier in the year.
However, now it appears that Hendriks is nearing his return to action and his debut with Boston. According to MassLive's Sean McAdam, Hendriks is expected to throw live batting practice three times in the next week or so, and if there are no setbacks, he'll begin a rehab assignment.
Manager Alex Cora even spoke about Hendriks before Saturday's game.
“I don’t know how long the rehab assignment will be,” said Cora. “This is a huge step, but it’s nothing for him compared to what he’s gone through the last few years. We’re getting close. How close, I don’t know. But the fact he’s throwing live BP next week is awesome. It’s good news for everybody.”
In Hendriks' two full seasons with the Chicago White Sox, he posted a 2.66 ERA and an incredible 0.871 WHIP with a 13.8 K/9. If he can get anywhere close to that level when he returns to the field, the Red Sox's bullpen will get a huge boost, as the team tries to make a run at the playoffs.
