Liam Hendriks DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) was up to 96 mph on the radar gun in his Grapefruit League debut on Wednesday versus the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays while tossing a scoreless inning. It was Hendriks' first game action since a minor-league rehab appearance last June. The 36-year-old veteran allowed a single and struck out one in the outing as he looks to bounce back in 2025 after not pitching at all in the big leagues last year following Tommy John surgery in 2023. The Australian native is a three-time All-Star and has 116 saves in his 13-year MLB career, so he'll be in Boston's competition for saves this season alongside Aroldis Chapman, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock. A closer committee is entirely possible, which won't help fantasy managers, but if Hendriks' velocity can stay around 96-97 mph, he should be interesting as a cheap bullpen arm in holds leagues.

MLB.com's Ian Browne writes that the Boston Red Sox competition for the closer job will start in spring training on Wednesday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays when right-hander Liam Hendriks and left-hander Aroldis Chapman are both scheduled to pitch. Justin Slaten, who is also competing for the closer's role, is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Tuesday. Right-hander Garrett Whitlock will also be competing for high-leverage duties at the back of Boston's bullpen, and it's possible the Red Sox will eventually settle on a committee approach, which will make things even more difficult for fantasy managers speculating on save chances in this bullpen. Chapman figures to be the favorite if he's healthy. Hendriks has plenty of experience (116 career saves), but the Australian is 36 years old and didn't pitch at all in 2024 due to injury.

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks was sitting at 93-94 mph during his live batting practice session at camp on Tuesday, according to The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey. Injuries have taken a toll on Hendriks in recent seasons (primarily Tommy John surgery in 2023), and while he may not throw as hard as he did earlier in his career, the 36-year-old Australian is fully healthy this spring and should play a key late-inning, high-leverage role in Boston's bullpen this year. Manager Alex Cora thinks Hendrik's velocity will continue to trend up as Opening Day in late March approaches. Although there isn't a ton of fantasy upside here, the Red Sox could go with a closer committee in 2025, giving Hendriks the opportunity for some save opportunities. Expect fewer strikeouts but a decent amount of holds and a handful of saves in 2025.