1:28PM: Hendriks told reporters (including Tim Healey) that he “very much” wants to keep playing in 2026, referencing his Tommy John surgery by noting that “I got a new elbow for a reason.”
12:46PM: Liam Hendriks’ long stint on the injured list has now been extended by forearm tightness, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told the Boston Globe’s Tim Healey and other reporters. This setback has halted Hendriks’ throwing and has likely ended his season after 14 games and 13 2/3 innings at the big league level.
Forearm issues aren’t a good sign for a pitcher who missed all of the 2024 season due to a Tommy John surgery, but for now this bout of tightness represents just the latest in a series of injuries that has led to another virtual lost year for Hendriks. He developed elbow soreness during Spring Training that delayed the start of his 2025 campaign, and Hendriks hasn’t pitched since the end of May due to hip inflammation and an abdominal strain.
In between those two stints on the IL, Hendriks posted a 6.59 ERA over his 13 2/3 frames for Boston. Since the start of the 2023 season, Hendriks has thrown only 18 2/3 total Major League innings with the White Sox and Red Sox, with a 6.27 ERA to show for those 19 games. Hendriks returned from a battle with cancer in the early part of the 2023 campaign, before elbow problems surfaced and resulted in his TJ procedure.
The Red Sox signed Hendriks to a backloaded two-year, $10MM contract in the 2024 offseason, with the idea that Hendriks would likely miss 2024 rehabbing and then return healthy and ready to contribute this year. Unfortunately, it now looks like the reliever’s tenure in Boston will end after just 14 games. Hendriks’ contract has a $12MM mutual option for 2026 that will naturally be declined, so Hendriks will receive a $2MM buyout and re-enter free agency.
Since Hendriks turns 37 in February, it is fair to wonder if retirement could be in the cards after all the tumult of his last three seasons. That said, Hendriks surely doesn’t want to go out on a low note, and was so intent on making it back before 2025 was over that it seems likely he’ll seek out a minor league contract this winter, unless this forearm tightness develops into something more serious.
Raise your hand if you didn’t realize he was still trying to come back this season.
Totally forgot about him. Wow
Liam was a bright spot for the White Sox when he was with them. Super solid dude, great teammate, he’s really easy to root for. He still wants to pitch next season, best of luck Liam!
There was some drama this season. Cant quite remember but something about how he wasn’t happy with how he was being used out of the BP.
Great teammate and great in the community. He and his wife Kristi were involved in do many causes, not to mention turning his personal battle into a celebration of perseverance. One of the most dramatic moments was the day he strolled in from the bullpen ahead of schedule after recovery from cancer.
Fever- I thought he was already out for the season. Another reclamation project that did not come to fruition.
I must admit , I had no idea , thought he was already down for the year. Good luck..
FPG
I believe Rafaela struck out on a pitch that bounced a foot in front of the plate ..(Friday) I’m getting my Rafaela struck out s confused. .
Sanchez behind the plate for Chapman, giving up the hits …. again .
Crochet,this is why you are an ace , we need a big time performance tonight.
cdc – TWICE yesterday he stepped to the plate with 2 runners on base and just one out.
First time, runners on 2B & 3B …. he swings and misses at all three pitches he sees.
Second time, runners on 2B & 1B …. he struck out swinging on a 3-2 count.
He is absolutely KILLING the offense. Cora needs to bench him again, let Eaton/Duran/Ref/Yoshida play more outfield. Eaton has actually been swinging the bat pretty well.
Yeah both games with Ali catching, Chapman gives up RUNS not just hits.
FPG
Needed that win badly.. tons of credit for Romy Gonzales,, a couple more hits, a couple of real good defensive plays, to go with a 14 game hitting streak.. home runs a bit of a concern with Crochet.. no one shuts it down like Whitlock and Chapman….
cdc – Yeah it wasn’t really a good win, but i’ll take it! It was a little concerning that after the first inning team implosion by the Yankees, the Sox couldn’t do anything. Thank God Stanton was playing left field!
What are we gonna do about the offensive struggles? I won’t even mention Rafaela, he’s a lost cause. But take away the first inning and half the team did nothing the rest of the way.
Mets got a huge break against the Rangers, that really helped the Sox.
FPG
C’mon Fever, at this point any win is a good win. Good teams take advantage of the situations presented them. We needed it desperately.. Stanton is a circus in the field. He is producing at the plate this season though. They missed a foul pop-up also. You have mentioned ,not a fundamentally good team. We will see them again in October.
cdc – I respect your right to have your own definition of “good win” ;O)
For me, I will stick with the common belief that not all wins or losses are created equal. Some wins are not good wins, and some losses are not bad losses.
Yes the Yankees are very poor fundamentally, I wouldn’t mind them playing the Sox in October.
It’s kinda funny how Jazz is hated so much by Fleming. That’s another reason why I love Joe Castig, he never lowered himself to that petty level.
BTW – The A’s scored 11 against the Reds on Saturday, does that make the A’s a good team too?
FPG
Don’t know what you mean about the A’s /Reds game. ???? It kinda sounds like you’re coming down on me in not a kind way. Would you of rather of had a ‘good loss ‘ yesterday?? I think not!!! Not all wins are going to be fundamentally sound , well balanced hitting attack, with outstanding starting pitching,to go along with sound relief. For me this was the biggest win of the season so far.
I have not listened to Will Fleming that much ,so unsure of his beef with Jazz.
CDC – You stated only good teams capitalize on poor pitching, poor defense and good fortune to score a lot of runs. I gave an example where that’s not necessarily true. A lot of teams could have scored 6 or more runs in the first inning yesterday against the Yankees. So all I did was politely disagree with you, and I supported my stance ;o)
I don’t really get what you’re getting at …. did you somehow miss the part where I wrote “but I’ll take it!”?? Of course I’ll always take the win, silly. LOL
That’s a good question you brought up, what was the best win of the season. Hmmmm ….. I’ll hafta think about that one.
Actually, I think the July 11th win was the biggest and the best. It really was pivotal.
FPG
Funny you would point out a Rafaela game winner. A late season win vs the empire to not get swept at home is a huge win . IMO. Anyways,it’s all good…..
Is Early getting the start Tuesday?? I see tbd in there.
cdc – Doesn’t matter who hit the game winner, that TB game was HUGE and arguably their best played game of the year!!! Rafaela was channeling his inner JBJ ALCS MVP in that series. LOL!!!
Perhaps last night’s game wasn’t that big because the Sox would still have made the playoffs even if they lost it? And it’s not like they will catch the Jays, although I know it’s possible.
I agree with you, it should be Early tomorrow. They’ve run out of LH prospects making their MLB debut, right? LOL!!
FPG
Just heard on weei that Early is making the start. The playoffs aren’t guaranteed yet. Still gotta get some wins ,any wins . Like yesterday’s. That’s just one of the reasons why I think it was the Biggest win of the season… The biggest win of Crochet’s career.
JBJ and Rafaelas careers are starting to mirror each other’s. Great defense and extremely streak hitting.. are the Giants getting in the playoffs???
cdc – That’s great news about Early! It’s so critical to see how a pitcher does when facing the same team for the second time.
The Sox have already clinched a playoff spot. They are up 3 games on both Texas and Cleveland.
Let’s say conservatively the Sox sweep the A’s and Rays, lose 2 of 3 in Toronto and win 2 of 3 against the Tigers ….. that leaves them at 91-71 for the season. Both Texas and Cleveland would need to go 12-0 to pass the Sox!!! Not gonna happen ;O)
The biggest win of Crochet’s career was July 12th vs Tampa. The Sox gave him just one run, but that’s all he needed in pitching a 9-inning 3-hit 0-walk 9-K shutout.
I agree Rafaela’s defense is decent, but he has to learn how to communicate. There’s been a few balls that have recently dropped between him and another outfielder because he didn’t communicate. I know he’s slow, but come on ….. spit the blue gum out of your mouth and enunciate, Rafaela!!
No I feel the same as yesterday, Giants won’t make it. A HOF 1B/DH can’t carry a baseball team, not even Ohtani or Judge could.
cdc – I just heard from a good source that Tolle has been dropped from the rotation. He will NOT be starting against the A’s.
I totally understand, he’s kinda sucked so far. Cora rushed him as usual.
FPG
IMHO…. Biggest win …no. best pitched game .. yes.. imagine if they had lost Sundays game, the despair that would be going around ,not just the fans,but the locker room.
Conservatively sweep 2 teams, ect ect. Is that 10-3 to end the season.?? (including Sunday)That’s very presumptuous… Believe me I do hope you’re correct. Ido think they make the playoffs , obviously. It’s just not a certain as of right now.
cdc – I always respect your opinions :O)
I’m not making predictions of 9-3 but I think it’s very likely. I have confidence in my team, plus it’s possible Abreu returns as soon as today. That would be a huge boost as it would allow Rafalea to be benched more often.
And the Rangers have gone into a slide like I expected, they are 4 back now.
Keep the faith!!!
FPG
We need Abreu back ,and producing desperately.
The Guardians are the hottest team in the league now. ( Seattle also) They have been getting great pitching during the streak. Crazy year for that team with the gambling issues.
Do you still want Bello to start game 1 ??? It’s going to be Crochet.. unless …. not gonna say it…
cdc – I don’t have a strong preference between Crochet or Bello, I have confidence in both of them. I think Bello was not as good as usual last time because of his new hair. LOL
No matter how hot the Guards are, they are not gonna go 13-0 so I’m not worried about them.
cdc – Well tonight was a tough loss, but that’s okay …. the pitching matchups heavily favor the Sox the next two games.
I’m gonna start off with the good from tonight’s game:
1) Trevor Story is doing it all, 3 more hits and 2 SB’s including an all-time AL-best 30 straight steals to start a season.
2) Early was fantastic, very impressive!
And now the bad from tonight’s game:
1) What was Cora doing pulling Early early? He had thrown only 80 pitches. The decision came back to bite Cora.
2) Breggy Beer Man looked awful again at the plate, he’s quickly headed for an OPS in the 700’s which is NOT deserving of the $31M he’s getting this season
3) Rafaela ….. ahh, what else is new? Another pathetic strikeout with the bases loaded nobody out. Would have been 0-for-5 if not for a blooper that made it just a few inches past the infielder’s glove. When is Cora gonna bench him again? He’s losing a LOT more runs at the plate than he is saving in the outfield.
4) Romy made SEVEN outs tonight!!!
And one thing that was really stupid, Bregman was right there following that slow grounder that hugged the foul line …. why didn’t he grab the ball when it briefly went into foul territory? Luckily that “hit” didn’t become costly.
I expect a big win tomorrow!
FPG
Yeah, this was a tough one … Story s 2nd hit probably should have been an error,but yeah,he’s are MVP. Early certainly was impressive again. I don’t have the numbers in front of me,but they mentioned it on the telecast how many inherited runners Weissert has allowed to score. Disturbing. Bregman is not getting it done. Romy has a very tough game,7 outs, OOOF !!! can’t complain about him to much , before tonight he has been out best hitter for several weeks.
Rafaela bat right now is anemic. Where’s Wyler?? The team record and runs scored without Roman in the lineup is incredible. Amazing 1 rookie can have such an impact on the entire direction of the franchise!!
FPG
How about Ohtanis game yesterday. Wow..
5 no- hit innings 5 K’s with a couple hits at the plate including his 50th Jack of the year . No doubt NL MVP. In the AL I’m thinking Cal Raleigh may have surpassed Judge for MVP. 2 more hrs yesterday. Incredible.
Skubal is returning to the mound on Thursday, which is great news for all of baseball. How cool would it be to see a Crochet vs Skubal matchup in the playoffs!!!
Why do you think Cora rushed Tolle ??
cdc – Yeah that’s why nobody should be counting out the Dodgers for the WS, the postseason is a totally different beast and if Ohtani, Glasnow, Snell and Yamamoto all remain healthy that will be one dangerous team.
I think most people believe Cal will win MVP because of his position.
Skubal vs Crochet would probably be the only matchup that could compare to Sale vs Crochet early this season.
You don’t think Tolle has been overmatched? He’s got a 7.84 ERA and 1.645 WHIP. Why do you think he was dropped from the rotation this week? He climbed the minors way too fast, it was a desperation promotion. If Houck/Crawford/Dobbins/Fitts had been healthy, or if Buehler had been effective, Tolle would have remained in the minors.
cdc – Roman is a special kid, if he hadn’t been kept in the minors so long because of service time manipulation then the Sox would be at least in the WC1 slot.
FPG
From what I heard and understand, is that Tolles best and only above average pitch is his fastball.. maybe he is more suited for relief right now. Also ,I guess Early’s secondary pitches are more developed , probably why he is having more success. Do you think he was brought up to quickly?? . He was not on anyone’s radar for this season.. Without question, he is the Sox 4 th starter right now and in the playoffs…
A relief tbh, Liam seems cooked.
We were all rooting for that man…
…and are continuing to do so.
Sometimes deals like this feel like the league basically giving a guy they like and have a ton of sympathy for, a nice retirement package.
So, lets pick up that $12M option, release him outright and let him retire in style, league.
Sympathy is the wrong word. Respect is better.
Break the cord with him-he’s toast
Maybe Breslow stops with the trying to squeeze juice out of washed up injured arms
Its not just breslow, many teams take risks on guys like this..sometimes they work out most times they don’t
And sometimes you get a little of both in one player. Giolito.
It’ll be interesting to see how Patrick Sandoval does next year when finally healthy. That could easily be another Hendriks type situation.
Call it, bud.
Rooting for the man not the player here.
Just let me put it out there that I would very much like to pitch in the big leagues next year, as well, and that I’m open to a prove it contract at the league minimum. I’ve had no history of reconstructive arm or elbow surgery, whatsoever.
Got a bit of rust to knock off – last pitched in the late 70s, but not my late 70s, so that’s something.
Are you…Steve Blass?
Are you saying…. I’ve lost control? 🤫
Dodgers will be all over this guy come winter….
And then watch him lead the NL in saves
Might be about time to retire.
The dude is a walking injury… it’s his life, keep playing as long as people are willing to play. But it’s getting to the point people aren’t going to pay much more than league min
He’s made over $76M. I doubt he’s concerned about the money to keep playing baseball.
Is he better than Campbell and Bernardino?Veteran pitcher.Has pitched big innings.I bring him back for Spring training and see if he gets back to closer to his old self.What really is the down side?
Can’t remember if his contract ends with this season. I believe he was not happy being the setup guy for Chapman, so they may be ready to move on.
Everyone is better than Campbell. Have no idea why he is still on the 40 man roster. The main downside is spending money on someone who may never regain form. Depends on the contract as they declined his 2026 option already. Missed that in the article at first.
He looks cooked, unfortunately. He’s not returning to the Sox after this year.
We last made the playoffs in 2021. Since then Dave Dombrowski has lead the Phillies to playoffs every year. Why did we ever let him go? He acquires top guys and wins. We now acquire guys like Hendricks.
Because Dombrowski spends money and gets things done. They wanted to go the cheap route, thus hiring Bloom. I think they are finally getting to the point of being willing to spend a bit again, but for a few years there ownership wanted to act like the Rays and save $$$.
Dombo just throws money around and trades all his top prospects for big league talent. It’s a pretty simple formula.
And Chapman. And Crochet. And Bregman.
Your whole post was great until the last sentence.
Hendriks Red Sox tenure went about as badly as it possibly could’ve. Hurt for the first year, then hurt several times in the second year. And when he was on the mound, he was not good. He also got death threats over his poor performances at one point.
I have definitely not been a fan of him in a Sox uniform but no one deserves death threats or threats of any kind because of a game.
DD was always “in it to win it”… now. He pursued big free agents and didn’t think twice about trading away prospects in order to win the WS. Red Sox ownership no longer “bought” into that philosophy and brought in Chaim Bloom. He helped put together some very good, low payroll teams in Tampa Bay, proving he could be competitive and still have a low payroll. The Sox FO were all over that mentality. Unfortunately, Red Sox fans got pretty tired of losing.
Well said. I am not by any means saying any team has to be the dodgers but history shows that to win you need a mix of it all. You need the young talent that’s home grown, the guys you’ve traded for at the deadline and some veterans that have been there before and are proven winners, which will cost you. The Red Sox can not keep going down this path of just throwing random guys at positions. The stars they have will grow old of that as well, not mentioning the fans. They have a really good young core. Now go get some guys to support them.
Didn’t Liam have a bird earlier this season complaining he wasn’t being used as the closer or at least in a more important role? Those with ERAs north of 6 should remain silent.
He went through TJS and chemotherapy. He can speak if he wants to.
Oh no, the guy who’s done nothing but complain and pitch ineffectively is now unavailable? Oh no.