The Boston Red Sox bullpen has put on a show in recent games, but on April 19, it got even stronger when the team announced the activation of a veteran arm.
The Red Sox have reinstated longtime closer Liam Hendriks after a year-plus of rehab. Hunter Dobbins has been optioned to create a spot for him on the 40-man roster. In his first series back in action, Hendriks will face his most recent big league team, the Chicago White Sox.
Boston signed Hendriks before the 2024 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. The Red Sox expected him to be ready to pitch late last year, but a setback in his recovery kept him in Triple-A and off the big league squad. Hendriks was expected to make the Opening Day roster in 2025, but an elbow inflammation bout sidelined him again.
Hendriks’ spring training performance may have foreshadowed his latest elbow ailment. He posted a 9.95 ERA and surrendered 14 hits over 6.1 innings. His rehab assignment went much better, and he didn’t allow a run and let up just one hit in three innings of work between the WooSox and Sea Dogs bullpens.
Red Sox finally activate Liam Hendriks after extended Tommy John surgery recovery
The 13-year MLB veteran was in the mix for the closer job during spring training, among a few other arms like Justin Slaten, Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock. Chapman won the job — he’s been electric in the final inning for Boston so far — and Hendriks was gracious about his assignment.
“I think it’s been pretty well proven this spring training who deserves that spot after earning it all spring and that’s definitely not me,” Hendriks said, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive. “I’ve always said I wanted to win it, but it’s not the end of the world if I don’t. I’m going to go out there and give my best three outs, six outs or whatever they need me to do.”
Hendriks has never made a major league appearance for Boston, but he’s already endeared himself to Red Sox fans. From shouting expletives on the mound to comparing the Boston and Australian accents, Hendriks should fit right in with Red Sox Nation and be the ultimate spark plug in the bullpen.
