Liam Hendriks On Track For Normal Spring Training
Craig Breslow said on Monday that veteran right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) is on track for a normal spring training in 2025. In addition to having a normal spring, the 35-year-old Australian should be "fully healthy" for the start of the regular season, giving the BoSox an experienced high-leverage reliever at the back of their bullpen. Although Hendriks hasn't been healthy in recent seasons and has also battled cancer, he is a three-time All-Star and has 116 career saves over 13 big-league seasons, so he could be firmly in play for the closer's role to begin the year. Hendriks is recovering from Tommy John surgery and didn't pitch at all last year, though, so he could struggle with efficiency and velocity early on next season. As of right now, his biggest competition for closing duties will come from veteran lefty Aroldis Chapman.
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Liam Hendriks Set To Pitch Again On Sunday
Liam Hendriks (elbow) is set to pitch again on Sunday and is nearing a return to the big leagues. As a relief pitcher, Hendriks will not need as long of a ramp-up period as the other injured pitchers in Boston, like Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Brayan Bello (shoulder). Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status after his second rehab outing on Sunday, as he could be cleared to return to Boston next week. During his first rehab outing, Hendriks logged one inning and allowed one hit while striking out three batters. He has been on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation since the start of the campaign. When he does return, he will compete with Aroldis Chapman for save opportunities.
Source: Chris Cotillo
According to Chris Cotillo of Masslive.com, Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Source: Chris Cotillo
Liam Hendriks Looks Good In First Rehab Outing
Liam Hendriks (elbow) had a very successful first minor-league rehab outing on Thursday with Triple-A Worcester, tossing a scoreless inning with one hit and three strikeouts. The 36-year-old veteran threw 13 of his 18 pitches for strikes and said he felt good after needing an injection in his elbow two weeks ago to help with a nerve issue. He will most likely need a few more rehab appearances before he's ready to rejoin the Red Sox's bullpen for his 2025 season debut. After recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2024, Hendriks hasn't pitched in a big-league game since June 9 of 2023, when he pitched for the Chicago White Sox. The Australian is a three-time All-Star and has 116 career saves in 13 MLB seasons, though, so he could be in the mix for saves in Boston alongside lefty Aroldis Chapman when he's fully healthy.
Source: NESN - Greg Dudek
Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Source: NESN - Greg Dudek
Liam Hendriks Close To Rehab Assignment
Liam Hendriks (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session on Monday and is likely to begin a minor-league rehab assignment by the weekend, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. This could put Hendriks on track to return in late April, and he figures to be in the mix for high-leverage opportunities with Aroldis Chapman and Justin Slaten. The Red Sox haven't committed to either as their full-time closer, so Hendriks could be worth a speculative add in deeper fantasy leagues where saves are hard to find.
Source: Chris Cotillo
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Source: Chris Cotillo
Liam Hendriks To Throw Bullpen Session This Weekend
Liam Hendriks (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday or Saturday, according to manager Alex Cora. This will be Hendriks' first bullpen session since being placed on the 15-day injured list to start the 2025 season. Hendrik's battled control problems and an elbow injury in spring training, which caused him to lose out on potentially opening the year as Boston's preferred closer. The 36-year-old veteran is unlikely to be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible on Tuesday, April 8, but it might not be much longer after that in which he's able to make his season debut in Beantown. The Australian native and three-time All-Star didn't pitch at all in the big leagues in 2024 and made just five appearances in 2023 in his final season with the White Sox due to injury, so he's far from a sure thing to stay healthy at this point of his career as a high-leverage reliever.
Source: The Boston Globe - Gabrielle Starr
Boston Red Sox right-hander reliever Source: The Boston Globe - Gabrielle Starr
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