Red Sox Relief Pitcher To See Longer Stint On Injured List

The Boston Red Sox made a flurry of roster moves ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies.

Richard Fitts, fresh off of earning his first Major League win Monday, was optioned to Triple-A Worcester to make room for right-handed pitcher Isaiah Campbell.

The Red Sox also moved right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL as his recovery from right hip inflammation has not yet progressed to a rehab assignment. Hendriks, who opened the season as a favorite to be the team’s closer, has been sidelined since facing the Milwaukee Brewers on May 27.

Hendrik’s move to the 60-day IL appears to be strategic as the Red Sox continue to rotate arms in the team’s heavily-used bullpen. In 14 appearances with the Red Sox this season, the 14-year veteran had a rough time bouncing back from Tommy John surgery. He is 0-2 with a 6.59 ERA with 10 earned runs allowed in 13 2/3 innings.

Before signing with the Red Sox in February 2024, Hendriks established himself as one of the most dominant closers in baseball before a battle with cancer and elbow surgery cost him most of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, respectively.

The three-time MLB All-Star has 116 career saves and led all American League closers with 38 saves while pitching for the Chicago White Sox in 2021. Hendriks’ role once he returns is unclear with Aroldis Chapman likely to earn the majority of save situations and recent acquisition of Jordan Hicks also to pitch in high-leverage situations.