Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks tosses BP, rehab assignment possible this weekend
Liam Hendriks completed another live batting practice on Wednesday afternoon at Fenway Park. The right-hander’s fastball sat around 93–94 mph in what was his third and final batting practice.
Hendriks is making his way back from Tommy John surgery that he underwent last Aug. 2. With this final BP in the books, Hendriks will potentially begin a rehab assignment this coming weekend.
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“The slider was good, actually against lefties,” Cora said. “Today he got hit around a little bit, but it’s encouraging, man. It’s a good fastball. It’s a different fastball than what we have in the bullpen. I’m not saying he’s going to be a guy that will come here and be the savior of the bullpen, but he will contribute. If this happens, he will contribute. We’ll take care of him like we always do with our guys coming from injuries. We still have to be patient, but we are almost there.”
The Red Sox will see how Hendriks feels on Thursday before making a final decision on whether he’ll pitch in a rehab game this weekend.
“Won’t be surprised if he goes on a rehab assignment over the weekend,” Cora said.
The Australian hurler noted that he usually requires six-to-eight appearances during spring training to get ready for the season. He will likely see something similar or slightly less before he’s activated off the 60-day injured list.
Hendriks signed with the Red Sox back on Feb. 20 for two years and $10 million, with the potential to earn an additional $10 million in performance bonuses.
“He’s been pushing,” Cora said. “He’s working. He has the will to do it. This is nothing for him. He’s been through a lot. You see him on the mound, and it’s kind of like significant and ironic that his last live BP to get ready probably to go on the rehab assignment is when we’re having the telethon (for) the Jimmy Fund. Use that as inspiration, and I think he’s going to contribute. He’s going to help us.”
Hendriks was one of the best closers in baseball, recording 114 saves and a 2.26 ERA between 2019-2022.
