August 4: Hendriks spoke to members of the media today, including Chris Cotillo of MassLive and Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. The righty expressed confidence that he will be back this year and that it was “a slip of the tongue” when Cora said otherwise. Hendriks also clarified that he was diagnosed with a hernia but the diagnosis was changed to an abdominal strain.
August 3: The 2025 season may be over for two members of the Red Sox pitching staff and 60-day injured list. In speaking with the Boston Globe’s Tim Healey and other reporters today, Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora both indicated that left-hander Patrick Sandoval and right-hander Liam Hendriks aren’t likely to pitch this year.
Sandoval underwent an internal brace procedure on his left UCL last July, so the southpaw was guaranteed to need at least a full year of recovery time. Because brace procedures generally require 12-13 months of rehab rather than the 13-15 month timelines associated with full Tommy John procedures, there was some thought that Sandoval could potentially make it back before the end of the 2025 campaign.
However, Cora indicated last week that Sandoval’s throwing progression had been scaled back from bullpen sessions to just games of catch. The setback has now seemingly elongated Sandoval’s timeline to the point that he almost surely won’t be fully ramped up (after bullpens, simulated games, minor league rehab games, etc.) to be ready before the end of September.
The Angels chose to non-tender Sandoval last winter, and the Red Sox signed him to a two-year, $18.25MM free agent deal. Just $5.5MM of that salary was owed for 2025, as the idea was that Sandoval would be missing at least the first four months of the season anyway. While this outcome isn’t unexpected, it is surely a disappointment to Sandoval that his UCL injury has continued to leave him on the sidelines.
Hendriks can sympathize, as the closer’s battle with cancer and then a Tommy John surgery limited him to five MLB innings in 2023 and then cost him the entirety of the 2024 season. Similar to Sandoval, Hendriks’ hopes of a late-season return were dashed by some continued arm soreness, and then his return in 2025 was delayed by elbow inflammation during Spring Training. Upon finally returning to the mound and making his official Red Sox debut, Hendriks posted a 6.59 ERA over 14 games and 13 2/3 innings before hip inflammation sent him back to the IL in late May.
Hendriks signed a two-year, $10MM deal with the Red Sox in February 2024 that, like Sandoval’s contract, was backloaded. He earned $2MM while rehabbing in 2024 and then is earning $6MM this year, plus there is a $2MM buyout of a $12MM mutual option for the 2026 season. The Sox are a lock to decline their end of the option given Hendriks’ continued injury owes, and the former three-time All-Star will probably have to settle for a minor league deal in free agency this coming offseason.
more distressed merchandise.
alan – The Red Sox are basically George Costanza, if the price is right they’d buy toxic envelopes and cashmere sweaters with dots on them.
Fever, one thing I like that we’ve been seeing in the standings with respect to first the Yankees and now the Jays’ lead is shrinkage!
dewey – I always love Seinfeld references, good one!
Unfortunately my favorite line is “I was in the pool!” Wife just shakes her head knowingly…
dewey – Just don’t burn down the cabin!
Forgot where I heard it. The Brewers’ best MLB record on 8/1 is the lowest winning percentage in however many years.
I don’t think that’s true. His SIERA is exactly the same as it was in 23, the difference is now his HR/FB rate has regressed to normal.
FPG
Bellos era down to 3.03..
A 7 run lead is the minimum for Acala to pitch ,or deficit.
Yankees blow one in the 9th . They are 0 and 6 on the road in extras. I would like to know the entire leagues record in extra innings. The home/ road records. Exactly how big is the advantage knowing what you need..?!
cdc – Yes just like we were both saying, a solid bullpen is a HUGE advantage. Knowing you’re going to win if you have a lead or are tied going into the 7th is a HUGE advantage.
You know my feelings on Alcalá, I think and hope he’s gone when Slaten returns.
FPG
Nothing is more demoralizing than blowing a lead late in a game. Matz had another decent inning. Not sure if he is capable of high leverage situations. Duran hits monster fingers. So strong. Produces in any spot in the lineup. Any idea what is the percentage of overall advantage in extra innings for the home team since the advent of the ghost runner???????
Dingers not fingers. Lol
cdc – Duran is awesome, I still can’t believe the people here who wanted to trade him just because he had a slow start to the season. At the end of the day, your best outfield has Duran in it.
To answer your question, no but do you really think there is an advantage? I believe the opposite, the road team has the advantage.
You know why?
Because the road team can bring in their closer for the bottom of the 10th if they’ve got a lead. If you’re the home team, bringing in your closer for the top of the 10th could be a big mistake if your team doesn’t score and it goes to the 11th …. then what?
FPG
Not sure if I agree with your logic there but it’s a sound argument. I’m all for differing opinions. Anyways
All eyes on Crochet and his velocity tonight.
Anthony is out again tonight I just heard on the radio.
cdc – I just don’t like burning Chapman if the Sox don’t have the lead, unless he needs the work.
Agreed on Crochet, hopefully whatever he’s dealing with has been resolved and he throws 7 innings while giving up less than 3 runs.
Bergert has been pretty good, but in limited action.
I already said Roman is out, it was announced yesterday. LOL!!
cdc – My man Abreu, star of the game last night!!!
Another spectacular catch in the right field corner, and I love how the Royals brought in the lefty Zerpa specifically to face Abreu …. and Wilyer promptly delivered a double off the wall. The guy needs to play every day, including against lefties.
Tonight could be a difficult game, Wacha has been solid and who knows what we will get from May.
Looking ahead to this weekend, I’m really looking forward to seeing Xander who has been hot. It’s crazy he was with the Sox just 3 years ago and now there’s vritually nobody left on the Sox that played with him.
Pivetta will start Game 1 and Cease will start Game 3. Too bad it won’t be Darvish or Cortes, they both suck. LOL
Is It Really So Strange?
They thought they were being thrifty and clever. They were neither.
BOOOOOM.
Sean – Agreed, it was pure arrogance.
Just like Paxton.
Just like Mondesi.
Etc etc.
I commend Hendriks attempt to come back. He just didnt have it. He competed his butt off, but he’s gotta heal up. Hopefully he can latch on somewhere in ST next year. Good dude.
And hopefully Sandoval ends these stupid contracts for guys coming off huge injuries. The whole two year deal for one year pitched concept has never worked. The data-driven, value style that BOS uses for signing players doesn’t take into account the guy who doesn’t recover how they planned (hoped).
I’m not sure if you remember, but Giolito was signed to a two year contract to rehab from TJ in the first year and he’s been huge for us this season, so I think it’s a bit of an over reaction to say those types of contracts don’t work.
Also I’m sure the front office knows it’s possible that the first year of the contract might not result in a single major league outing
Giolito was healthy when signed, and then injured himself I believe in the first ST outing in 2024.
62. No. Giolito was absolutely terrible in 2023 before the Saux signed him but not injured.
Brett – He was injured, all the signs were there including peripherals. Breslow just chose to ignore them because he’s so much smarter than every other team.
Giolito was one of the most durable pitchers in MLB before the Red Sox signed him. He went through a divorce in the second half of the 2023 season when his stats went downhill.
Red – Giolito was injured when he signed with the Red Sox, as his putrid 2022/2023 numbers will attest, but the Red Sox gambled he could magically turn things around without going under the knife.
Regardless, do you really think 2 months (so far) of him pitching well was worth $39M????????
Seriously???????
And if we didn’t have those 2+ months of Gio would we be the first place wildcard team right now? I don’t think so. So if he helps push us into the playoffs, I would say yes the contract has been worth it.
Besides Buehler is making more money than Gio this year and he’s been absolutely awful, so I think you’re looking at the wrong SP here
Red – That depends entirely on who would have replaced him. If for instance they had kept and helped Pivetta, he’s got 14 quality starts this year while Gio has only 11. Unless you’re saying Pivetta would have had the Sox in first place right now, which I agree is entirely possible.
If the Red Sox weren’t so damn cheap, sure I’d be fine with Gio’s contract. But as we all know, they are indeed cheap which means their bad contracts have a bigger impact on the team.
I share frustration about their luck with these types of deals, but… Brandon Woodruff?
I think it was just the $ to Sandoval. I didn’t think he was an $18.5MM arm for a single season with the post injury risk. But then again Alex Cobb got $15MM….
And Alex Cora is getting $7m per…
You think that’s a lot?
It isn’t.
swan – Great post, I’ve been saying that for years!!!! The Red Sox under both Bloom and Breslow have pissed away so much money on high risk injured players it’s ridiculous, and yet they didn’t want to take the risk of Sale staying healthy last year. It’s beyond dumb, must be a CB thing.
It’s most likely ownership. With the budget Henry mandates, they have to take risks to hopefully stretch it further. It explains why DD left.
If memory serves DD was fired (to his surprise) after the 2019 season..he didn’t leave of his own accord..feel free to correct me but that’s how I recall it
dewey – Correct, and as we all know Dave was so pissed he didn’t even wait until the end of the season to leave.
Fpg ..thats actually incorrect DD was in fact fired by the red sox on September 9th 2019. He may have been pissed but did not leave on his own accord they asked him to leave and had 4 people share his duties in the meantime..
Red Sox fire Dombrowski one season after title – ESPN
espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27573900/red-sox-fire-domb…
FPG making things up again.
Can the Red Sox just release Hendriks now? Presumably we’re covering a lot of costs in rehab, medical etc. as well as salary. If we’re not getting any more from him might as well eat the salary and save on the ancillaries.
When you get sick I hope your job fires you.
I have a set number of sick days and then, yes, I stop getting paid when I don’t perform my job. So do most people.
Doesn’t make it right. Health care should not be tied to employment period.
Not if you”re in a union.
I’m sure if Simon made $12,000,000 a year, he wouldn’t care. And please spare us any more childish responses.
Hear of workers comp? He got hurt working so the Red Sox couldn’t just cut snd run anyway. I’m sure the CBA has it listed out how injured players are handled.
Yeah, I guess that was my question. What does the CBA state? Can the Red Sox cut someone on the IL? It’d probably be a dog move from the Red Sox to cut him but the players are also quick to remind everyone that it’s a business, nothing personal.
All contracts are guaranteed so even the sox cut him they aren’t saving anything other than a roster spot which isn’t a problem because he’s on the 60 day IL.
Your persistence in showing no compassion is vexing.
Nothing personal, though.
not wanting a player to get paid because they got hurt is a very weird hill to die on. Also players getting hurt like this happens all the time so this isn’t something novel.
lester – This is a weird discussion that I didn’t want to get involved in, but I will say if a team is certain they won’t ever again be activating a guy on an expiring contract they would possibly release the player as a goodwill gesture to give him an opportunity to latch on with another team that may have an interest in signing him for the following season.
Hendriks is on the 60-day IL. What’s the advantage to cutting him?
Sox are presumably paying for his medical costs and all the support he receives rehabbing etc. Why pay for that and all the logistics etc. that goes along with it if he’s not going to pitch for the rest of the contract?
because the red sox are contractually obligated and more simplistically he got hurt on the job,
Besides the team has enough of a hard time convincing players to sign with them, why give another reason?
I’m pretty sure the RS pay for his medical expenses. If a rookie snaps an ankle on a slide, they don’t tell the kid to pay for the operation himself. And if he is out for the season, how much rehabbing is he doing, and at what cost?
Look up the words “MLB” and “Union” you dope.
Dewey: red sox signed two guys this offseason that made the all star team and extended Crochet… not sure that narrative is all that accurate.
Why would you care? You aren’t paying him and it isn’t stopping the Sox from signing people and he isn’t taking up a roster spot. Also, he has a guaranteed contract so they don’t save any money from releasing him. Also, it would set a bad precedent and other free agents would think twice about signing with the Sox.
I don’t really care, it’s just a question. You do save a bit of non salary costs to release him and not be on the hook for his rehabbing medical costs. It’s probably negligible though and, like you say, even if possible, it ain’t a good look.
Please drop it.
Yes, it’s just a standard for the business I think. These guys make $15 million but say a surgery is 200,000 normally but there’s medical staff and surgeons as part of the entire deal with the team so costs could be lower for those types of things that go on all the time.
So totaling a couple hundred thousand for surgery and rehab and use of the facilities is really no big deal in the grand scheme of things.
There’s former players who work out at the facilities now and then and are welcome anytime they want to show up.
If the services are available, the surgeons the rehab it’s already in place. It’s no big deal to utilize them.
A team is probably happy to see a player through these difficult times since they signed the contract with them and are now part of the team.
Dude, there’s a UNION.
I know Hendriks is a good guy and all but thank god. Whatever he is as a person he is no longer as a player.
Didn’t Liam fairly recently complain about how he was being used? Sorry, you do that, your “Good Guy” badge gets taken away.
Closer types are a different breed. “I’m a closer so I close. That’s it.”
Then they’ll say, “well I suck because I’m not used to coming in the seventh thinning or the sixth thinning. It’s all your fault the way you used me.”
Which brings up the amazing Aroldis Chapman. “You need me in the eighth? No problem.”
Stand-up man and what an example as a teammate for the others. Love it much respect.
Chapman has played well but I wouldn’t go so far as to call the guy who was the first player ever to violate the personal conduct policy a stand up guy.
I easily forget the past and try to look at someone’s current conduct.
I’m fortunate that my friends do the same with me.
There are certain things like being suspended for hitting his girlfriend and firing a gun off in front her that shouldn’t be so easily forgotten.
Yes, true and those are very horrible acts.
But I believe in change and I hold no one to the fire for something They’ve done in the past and are genuinely sorry about it.
The word “genuinely” is a huge word here.
How many times have we been burned by someone saying they’re sorry and they do it again six months later? Do I dare say, Ja Morant and the gun stuff?
But even then come on the guy’s a kid and maybe you suspend him from the league for a year so the penalty hits home?
Then he comes back and it’s all good. He does it again.., ok then two year suspension.., whatever I don’t know.
I’m all about a man changing His ways as he matures. As I said, I’ve done enough stupid crap in my life and I’m thankful for friends who have looked past that and see the gradual improvement in behavior, including not repeating the egregious errors.
There are certain things like being suspended for hitting his girlfriend
======================
My recollection is that he never hit his gf, and he fired his gun off in the garage.
Liam’s return was a great, feel good story that culminated into making it back to an MLB mound. However, it might be time to find another role in the game. Perhaps coaching or inspirational speaking, the playing part may be over
Rsox – It was a great feel good story for a hot minute, and then ended with him and his wife receiving death threats. Once again a small portion of the fanbase embarrasses themselves, just like they did with Devers and Sale and Story and Giolito and so many others.
I’ve never understood why anyone would send death threats to a player. Same situation with McCullers in Houston. Are there a bunch of Dale Gribble’s out there with nothing better to do? “You don’t know me but i know where you live”…
Rsox – Remember the origin of “fan” is “fanatic” …. the same kind of people here who are so delusional they think they are being righteous by always “defending” their team and attacking others who don’t.
And Giolito is right, gambling has added to the nutjobs threatening athletes.
$18.5 million for 2026 because Saux got nothing from him in 2025.
That is some incredibly poorly spent money.
Yes, you’re 100% correct. But that’s the nature of major league baseball.
Allocating dollars for pitching is a crapshoot and everyone knows it.
You can go up and down the league every single team and you’ll find situations where it worked out in situations where it didn’t. Here’s one that didn’t.
Gary – With all due respect, while every pitcher comes with a certain amount of risk there are those that have much higher levels of risk.
Paxton
Sandoval
Giolito
Hendriks
All very high risk signings, all have not worked out as hoped.
Your right fever.
I guess they’d rather take a risk on four guys than taking that money and giving it to one guy who is a stud who misses a year or two to Tommy John or a bicycle accident or something.
Remember, I’m a glass half full kind of guy. Go Sox !!! I’m pretty excited about this trendy winning stuff going on right now. If it continues, that would be great if not, then this last month has been fantastic.
Gary – Me too! Remember before the season I outlined a path for the Sox to make the playoffs, and it included big seasons from Story and Giolito.
So far, so good!!
Yes, though it’s been a bumpy road with story and Giolito, so far so good.
That 10 game winning streak against a couple of the weaker teams set things in motion for morale, etc. Which, of course can affect performance, especially in a mind game like baseball lol
I think we are touch and go at this point but sweeping Houston was massive !!
Prior, losing two of three to good teams ain’t gonna cut it. That’s a slippery slope !!
Gary – I agree, the Houston sweep was huge! I’m not going just by the wins itself, I’m going by HOW they won those games and the fact they beat two really good starting pitchers. I know they are still making errors, but the important thing is they are making the great plays when it really matters like that Duran catch last night.
I just pray Roman is alright, I don’t believe he has a history of back injuries like Marcelo therefore I’m hoping he will be back tomorrow.
And you really nailed it about the 10-game win streak, I would say they gained a lot of confidence and momentum on that streak. I could use an old analogy about dating, but I won’t. LOL
I’m glad with Roman Anthony It’s not lower back.
Usually upper back is sleeping wrong right? And you just have to wait it out.
Mid back I’m not sure what that could be but I hope it’s nothing and sorts itself out over time. Maybe it’s from working out?
Gary – I know virtually nothing about back issues, thankfully. The only time I’ve ever had back pain was when I was laying tile in my bathrooms, but for two days I experienced how awful it is to have chronic back pain. Not only movement was quite painful, but even just laying in bed was painful. I did wait it out.
Roman said it was from a pregame workout, perhaps stretching? Chapman had back pain recently, hopefully Roman recovers just as quickly.
And I hate to say it, but any time I hear about back pain I think about a truly great guy …. Jon Lester, whose back pain turned out to be cancer.
Yeah, the lower back needs to be scrutinized. As we get older, could be kidneys too.
But as mentioned, I think mid back or upper back is less of a deal than lower back. Fingers crossed.
Brett – And you know it will probably take him at least a couple months to shake the rust off and ramp up, like it took Giolito.
So you’re talking $18.5M for about 4 months.
Absolutely comical.
Wanna talk about JV and Max?
Knowing the Sox they’ll pickup Hendriks contract. Waste of $30M they could have used on good pitchers
There’s not a single person in the entire universe who believes the Red Sox will pick up Hendriks’ contract for next year.
Not even “the Sox.”
He regained his health, he took the mound for a spurt and he got hammered.
It’s over.
Alex Cora in which both agreed he’s on a path to contribute again in 2025.
As of today they’re back on track for him to join in 2025.
the only way Hendricks will be back next with the sox or any other team is on a minor league contract.
All I was saying is watch the Sox spend stupid money to bring him back.
and what myself and most likely Gary are saying is that there basically zero chance that a player that has barely pitched in 2 years gets anything more than minor league deal from any of the 30 clubs. So I wouldn’t waste time watching that.
the Sox they’ll pickup Hendriks contract.
==========================
Dumbest comment of the day, and the voting is now closed.
I stated, watch them pick up that dumb a$s. Have you heard of sarcasm. All they keep doing is wasting their money on broken down thoroughbreds.
danidon, Thank you for explaining the sarcasm. I get it now.
I jumped all over your comment because there’s so many that beat up the Red Sox, the coaching staff, the GM, that if it’s sarcasm, I can’t tell right away.
I tend to defend the team when others bash them.
Thanks again for your explanation.
No problem. I’m a true blood Red Sox all the way back to 69. Born in Rhode Island and watched them play in Pawtucket and in Boston. I love this team through thick and thin for sure just hate some of the things that management does.
Yes, I hear you. I’ve been a fan since 78.
Went to the Woo Sox game last night to see the up-and-coming young guys. First time there and I enjoyed it.
It was cool because I recognized every name in the entire starting lineup. Most of them I’ve seen in spring training in Fort Myers this year also.
Portland Sea dogs game next Tuesday. Can’t wait. Go sox !!!
I’m jealous. I moved to Indiana in 95 so I only get to watch them on TV
Only go to a game at Fenway here and there anymore. Rather watch on TV nowadays.
And if I do go, it has to be a day game. Usually come up from the Cape so I don’t like getting home at midnight.
Indiana can be nice. Friendly people, a little less expensive, etc.
What a waste of money,
And they wonder why stadiums are getting empty
fever pitch guy is right. why is crochet not pitching? the guy is hurting, and they won’t say anything.
He’s getting a close to a career-high in innings. Makes sense to conserve him. He’s starting Tuesday.
Ridiculous. We’ve seen from his past that he’s an overly cautious dude. Probably travels with a hot water bottle and an umbrella in his suitcase.
Nothing wrong with taking a start off as he approaches his career high in innings pitched. No problem at all.
Fever is never right about anything and for sure isn’t right about Crochet. In fact Crochet is scheduled to pitch tomorrow. as everyone has reported to death they are adjusting his starts to maximize his innings pitched this year.
Hey Ward aren’t you being a little hard on the Beaver? I think fever is right on a lot of stuff and he has the info backing it up whenever he refutes my assertions.
Nobody’s right 100% of the time, but we all have good points to make here and there including fever.
Fever makes up stuff constantly, never backs his assertions up with facts, mutes people after they embarrass him with actual facts when they call out his BS, then tries to twist people’s arguments or change the subject instead of admitting he’s wrong. I high doubt that the majority of what he said to actually refute your arguments was based accurate information. So no I’m not being hard on him at all. The Crochet case is one example.
OK, I guess you’re right. But when compared to me, he’s right quite often !! lol
Difference is at least you admit Gary.
Yes, I agree with you there. How many people do we know in our life that will never ever be wrong. They’ll go down tooth and nail that they’re right. We all know people like that.
acell10
Fever is never right about anything
========================
Fever was right about Vazquez. 3 years is a long time to go between getting things right, but “never” is not completely accurate.
Joe: how about rarely right? I guess a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while.
“Rarely”, OTOH, is a tad too generous. It is, after all, three years.
“why is crochet not pitching? ”
====================
Because Bello pitched yesterday and Crochet is pitching today?
“the guy is hurting”
==========================
Crochet has a 1.73 ERA over his past 4 games, and you think he can do that while hurt?
Wasnt Sandoval signed for 2026?
“Sandoval is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery, performed in June of 2024. He’ll miss at least the first half of the 2025 season, if not a bit more, but could be a late-season option in Boston and should be a member of their 2026 rotation..”
2026 is his target, anything in 2025 wouldve been a bonus.
The real fans know he was a 2026 signing. The casuals probably don’t follow the RS that closely.
Two more excellent signings Breslow. More damaged goods
The Sox probably should have just re-signed Pivetta to a multi-year deal rather than taking on all of these reclamation projects, most of which are not working out. Pivetta would have been well worth a four year deal at $60 or so million. He’s been pitching at an ace level for the Padres all season, and we have Walker Buehler getting shelled and Sandoval getting paid to not throw a single pitch this year.
Pivetta pitches half his games in a pitchers park and his home road splits aren’t good. . He was also coming off an injury and has an opt out after next year so not a true four year contract either.