Liam Hendriks is officially returning to the majors, as the White Sox announced (via a welcome-back video on their team Twitter feed) that the closer will be activated from the 15-day injured list on Monday prior to their game with the Angels. Hendriks revealed in January that he was starting treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but after finishing that treatment in early April, he thankfully announced a cancer-free diagnosis just over a month ago.
Hendriks threw six Triple-A rehab outings earlier this month, and has also been throwing bullpens and live BP sessions to continue building up his arm strength. Reports surfaced yesterday that Hendriks seemed to be nearing his return date, and the decision was made that the closer was ready to again face Major League hitters.
It’s great news all around that Hendriks has been able to emerge from his health scare, and now looks to get back onto the mound for what will be his 13th MLB campaign. It remains to be seen if Hendriks will be eased into action or whether or not he’ll be immediately able to pitch at his usual elite level, but even off the field, his return is an enormous lift to the White Sox clubhouse, as Hendriks is a beloved figure both with teammates and with his peers throughout baseball. Sticking just to on-field matters, it will naturally help Chicago’s struggling bullpen to regain a top closer.
Hendriks has three All-Star appearances and two top-nine AL Cy Young finishes in the last four seasons, racking up 114 saves for the A’s and White Sox in that time. 2023 is technically the final guaranteed year of Hendriks’ three-year, $54MM free agent deal with the Sox, but the White Sox have a $15MM club option and a $15MM buyout on his services for the 2024 season, so it would appear as though Hendriks will be retained for another year.
A trade could change matters, but while the White Sox fell to 22-33 after today’s loss to the Tigers, the club has somewhat stabilized things after their dreadful 7-20 April record. No one player can turn things around for a team, but getting Hendriks back should help the Sox try to get back into contention in the weak AL Central.
Not a WhiteSox fan but we are cheering u on
Phillies nation
Nice!
Just in time to trade him at the deadline.
Read the room
No one cares
wrong
Can’t wait to see him out there!
at Citifield in October
To help you guys get the stadium ready for the regular season next year, I’d presume.
@GOMM- Man that was so harsh!
This is awesome. Hope he does well.
Great comeback story!
I hope he’s healthy and stays that way. I hope he pitches well enough to get traded to a team that deserves him.
Let’s go Liam!!! Kicked the $h!t out of Cancer, now kick the s8i† out of Detroit and Minnesota!
I wish him a happy and great season. He has the right stuff to do it.
Wait, his 2024 option and buyout are BOTH 15 million? How does that happen?
If they trade him this season, then the acquiring team assumes his $15MM ’24 triggered option/salary. Or the White Sox let’s him walk and owe nothing or picks up his option next year.
The article says that if they let him walk they have to pay a 15 million buyout. That’s the part that makes no sense if picking up the option costs the same amount.
I’m looking at his BRef page contract but I did misread. The White Sox can decline their club option while the $15MM buyout owed can be deferred into ten $1.5MM annual payments.
Hendriks will be paid $15M for 2024 regardless.
If the White Sox pick up the option he is paid $15M.
The 2024 option is guaranteed with trade
If club declines 2024 option, $15M buyout is paid in 10 annual installments of $1.5M, 2024-33
Not a Sox Fan
But as a Cancer survivor myself this is Awesome!
Incredible news, beyond excited for Liam!
Best story of the season!
Man good for him.
Already a forever winner in my book but hoping for an even longer more successful career than he has had so far!
glad to see him getting back so soon, this is a great feel good story
Right on, Liam…pulling for ya!!!
He will get ass blasted after being away for so long.
I was not a Liam Hendricks fan before but I hope he comes back with a vengeance.
Awesome.
White Sox have the worst manager in baseball.
Even KC wouldn’t hire him.
Fire him now.
Yesterday put Kelley in to face the same batters he blow Saturdays game.
The guy is awful
Sliderwiitcheese, that’s the worst post I’ve read in years.. Liam welcome back!!
Great story, congratulations.
happy he is recovering well! Twins fan and always liked him as a baseball fan… remember being in the rays press box during one of his early starting roles. Didn’t shine then, but I had faith in him… unfortunately it was for the chisox.
Wishing Liam nothing but the best
Definitely a feel good story on a feel bad team.
Can’t wait to see Liam back on the mound. Fun to watch. He’s a fighter.
Glad he is back and healthy as cancer and blood diseases are insidious.. Also, given how pathetic the White Sox are, he will also likely be traded to a contender as well which means he’ll have something to play for this season..
Its great to see him back and cancer free.