Liam Hendriks Return Providing Must-See Moments For Red Sox
BOSTON -- Liam Hendriks is different.
You could actually use any number of descriptors for the 35-year-old. He's brash. He's intense. He's loud. He's a bit crazy.
Hendriks wouldn't argue any of that, either, admitting that his impatient approach to returning from Tommy John surgery probably has irked those who have his best interest in mind.
"I don't know who's more excited, me or everyone in the clubhouse so they don't need to hear me as much," Hendriks said Saturday, per NESN's Tom Caron.
It's been quite the opposite for many of his Red Sox teammates, though.
Hendriks started throwing in simulation settings this week -- first at Kauffman Stadium prior to a matchup with the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, and then at Fenway Park prior to a matchup with the Houston Astros on Saturday. Romy Gonzalez and Enmanuel Valdez were his opponents in the latter session, and in most cases, they would have been the only other players on the field. Hendriks has a plan to follow, with coaches and the training staff keeping a close eye on him as he continues to check boxes toward an eventual return.
Hendriks' guys just can't help themselves.
Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, Kenley Jansen, Zack Kelly and a litany of others lined up along the first base line Saturday to get a glimpse at the Aussie's side session, just as they did Wednesday.
It was well-worth the price of admission.
Hendriks was as animated as ever during the 20-pitch session, letting out more than his fair share of choice words. At one point, he raced into foul territory to catch a pop-up off the bat of Gonzalez, making an impressive running catch and immediately turning to chuck the ball into the Green Monster seats.
The Red Sox have enjoyed Hendriks' animation, but perhaps more importantly, they've seen quick progress.
"He actually threw the other day and the feedback was good. The action on the fastball is there, the hop is there, velocity not where he wants it to be but he's gotta stay patient," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday. "He's doing a great job with the training staff, and obviously has his own ideas, but we've been through this before. He has to be patient, but I do believe at one point he's going to contribute.
"I think (Saturday) is a big day. We have to see how he bounces back, like we did last week, and then tomorrow we'll reassess the situation and work from there. The way things are going, he's moving fast."
Boston is banking on Hendriks' return, expecting that he'll be prepared for a comeback at some point in August -- and when he does, Fenway Park will finally be able to see the brash, intense, loud and a bit crazy reliever do what he does best.