Hendriks planning aggressive return
FORT MYERS, FLA. >> It typically takes between a year and 18 months for a pitcher to get back on the mound after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Liam Hendriks is targeting a return right on the one-year line, and even that feels like too long for the eager reliever.
“Trade deadline,” he told reporters on Tuesday, in his first media availability since officially becoming the newest member of the Red Sox bullpen. He signed a two-year, $10 million guaranteed contract this week with up to $10 million in incentives and a mutual option for a third season. “That’s my goal.”
Hendriks underwent Tommy John last Aug. 2. This year’s trade deadline is July 30. Or as he put it, “12 months-ish.”
It’s the kind of fiery determination Hendriks has shown throughout his career and life. It made him one of just 23 Australian pitchers in MLB history, a three-time All-star, backto-back American League Reliever of the Year in ‘20 and ‘21, and a cancer survivor.
Last year was almost a full calendar’s cycle of health-related absences from the game Hendriks loves. In January, he announced he’d been diagnosed with Stage-4 non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, and would begin undergoing treatment. By the end of April, he’d gone into remission. Eager to get back in the game, he was on the mound with the Chicago White Sox by Memorial Day weekend. The triumphant return was shortlived, however; after five games, he was on the sidelines again in mid-june. By late July, surgery was inevitable.
“I’ve said it before, but I’m pretty sure in my own head, I knew it was gone before I even started my rehab assignment,” he said of his elbow. “But I refused to not get back. There was no chance.”
Hendriks admitted he’ll probably be stubborn during the current rehab as well, which will take place in Boston, rather than Fort Myers, so he can be a part of the team.
“I miss the clubhouse atmosphere, I miss the vibe,” he said, mentioning how isolated the previous year was, “and I feel like I can bring something to the table as far as a clubhouse presence or a bullpen presence. Being a supporting cast to guys like Chris Martin and Kenley (Jansen).”
“My wife loves the Boston area,” Hendriks added.
“Everybody speaks similar to my accent, no one pronounces their R’s, so we’re good there. I love the area.”
He’s also eager to contribute to this franchise, in particular.
“I mean, it’s the Boston Red Sox,” he said. “You’ve got a group of people that are not afraid to show emotion, they’re not afraid to be themselves, and they’re not afraid to unite as a team and throughout the organization.
“And it’s a team that I followed a lot as a kid. It was one of the only ones that came on TV when I was back in Australia.”
Hendriks recently began playing catch, but he’s already itching to accelerate. “Every day is getting better and better,” he said.
“It’s just a matter of me trying to poke and prod them to let me go as fast as I can, and them trying to rein me back in a safe way to do things,” he said with a chuckle.
Tidbits
Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito each threw two innings of live batting practice on Tuesday, earning praise from Alex Cora.
Bobby Dalbec has “a chance” to make the Red Sox roster. In fact, Cora said the infielder’s chances are better this year than the one before, because fellow right-handed infield slugger Justin Turner is no longer with the team.
Asked which Red Sox player will be the biggest star of the Netflix docuseries about this season, Rafael Devers smiled and said, “Not me.”
Speaking of the filming, Devers believes it’s not only something the players are already used to, but something that could fuel them.
“No one wants to be next year on Netflix as a losing team,” he said. “I think that’s a motivation.”