Liam Hendriks's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) felt good after his first minor-league outing and will head to Double-A Portland for the next few outings. Hendriks started his rehab assignment on Sunday at Triple-A Worcester and looked sharp, throwing a clean inning in which he needed just 12 pitches. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander's fantasy impact is going to be muted when it's all said and done for the 2024 regular season, but he's working his way toward being a potentially major weapon out of Boston's bullpen if the Red Sox are able to advance to the postseason this fall. Fellow veteran righty Kenley Jansen has saved 23 games out of 26 opportunities for the BoSox this year, and even if Hendriks returns from last year's Tommy John surgery in September, he should remain their go-to closer the rest of the way.

Boston Red Sox veteran right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) will start a minor-league rehab assignment on Sunday, likely with Triple-A Worcester, barring any setbacks. The Red Sox want to see Hendriks throw around seven outings in the minors before allowing him to make his 2024 debut. Hendriks has nearing an end to his long recovery from Tommy John surgery and will join Boston's bullpen for the stretch run this year. The 35-year-old Aussie has been an All-Star three times in his 13 years in the big leagues and also has 116 career saves, so he'll give the big-league bullpen plenty of experience alongside closer Kenley Jansen. However, given Hendriks' long layoff, there's a good chance he'll be eased into high-leverage relief situations when he eventually makes his Red Sox debut, which may not come until September.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Wednesday that right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) could start a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend. Hendriks is nearing game action after tossing a live batting practice session on Wednesday. Barring a setback as he recovers from Tommy John surgery that he had in August of last year, the 35-year-old veteran could be ready to make his 2024 debut in the big leagues after around six to eight appearances in the minors. The Australian hurler has 116 saves in 13 big-league seasons, so the three-time All-Star will bring plenty of late-inning, high-leverage experience to Boston's bullpen when he comes off the 60-day injured list. However, he could be eased into lower-leverage situations upon his return and probably isn't going to have much fantasy appeal with time running out in the 2204 season.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) threw his first live batting practice session on the mound ahead of Tuesday's game against the hosting Kansas City Royals. Hendriks threw 15 pitches, both fastballs and sliders, in the first of three or four scheduled live BP sessions, with the next being scheduled for Saturday if he bounces back well. The 35-year-old three-time All-Star has not pitched in the big leagues since undergoing Tommy John surgery a season ago, and he still is targeting a September return to the major leagues if his live sessions and eventual minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester go well. With that said, Hendriks is running out of time to be a factor for fantasy managers in 2024, and his impact as a setup man ahead of closer Kenley Jansen will likely be felt more if the Red Sox advance to the postseason in October.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) is set to throw two more bullpen sessions in the upcoming days after logging a successful one on Wednesday, July 3. According to manager Alex Cora, the 35-year-old is only throwing fastballs for now and is "far off" from a potential rehab assignment. Hendriks logged five innings last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery in August. This was after the three-time All-Star made a recovery from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The right-hander is a name to keep an eye on in the second half of the summer, as he could claim all save opportunities in Boston when he returns to the mound.