Liam Hendriks Pumped For Red Sox Debut After Long Journey
Liam Hendriks has been a beacon of inspiration for his off-the-field actions, but he’ll finally make his Red Sox debut this weekend.
Hendriks has been out of action since the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He suffered a setback in spring training this year when he started the season on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation.
He was activated off the injured list Saturday, making him available against the Chicago White Sox. How long has it been since the All-Star reliever pitched in an MLB game? The 36-year-old had the answer ready.
“Six hundred and eighty days later. That’s the exact number of days I was gone, since June 9, 2023,” Hendriks told reporters, per MassLive’s Sean McAdam. “It feels like at least 1,000. It feels like a hell of a lot longer than that. It’s been a long and arduous journey to get here. But now I’m here and I’m actually (eager) to go out there and do what these guys pay me to do.”
Hendriks spent the 2024 season rehabbing, but he made a quick impression on the community and continues to be a strong ambassador for the Red Sox. However, the right-hander is one of the game’s top competitors and was eager to get back to the mound as quickly as possible. It’s why he’s willing to accept any role needed of him.
“I have no clue and that’s the way I want it,” Hendriks said. “I’m just excited for that adrenaline rush of the phone call (down to the bullpen). That’s the thing that I think I’ve missed most about being here. Yeah, you’re around the guys, you’re around all this sort of stuff, but you don’t have that ‘Oh, crap,’ moment when the phone rings, where no matter what your situation is, its gets the heart going and give you that extra little energy.”
Manager Alex Cora told reporters that the game state will dictate how the Red Sox utilize Hendriks. There will be no doubt that the Fenway Faithful will give Hendriks a warm reception when his number is called.
Hendriks could make his debut against his former team Saturday. You can catch full coverage of the matchup on NESN at 4:10 p.m. ET.