Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks had an impressive performance in his first rehab game for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday. Hendriks, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery performed last August 2, pitched a flawless fifth inning against Lehigh Valley. He retired Kody Clemens with a flyout to center field on a 94.5 mph four-seam fastball, Scott Kingery with a soft groundout to the catcher on an 86.4 mph cutter, and Darick Hall with a groundout to shortstop on a 95.2 mph four-seam fastball.
Hendriks needed just 12 pitches, including one automatic ball not counted in the pitch tally, to get through the inning, with 10 of those pitches being strikes. His repertoire included seven four-seam fastballs, reaching 95.6 mph and averaging 94.8 mph, three cutters averaging 86.4 mph, one curveball at 82.2 mph, and one slider at 85.6 mph, according to Baseball Savant.
Before this outing, Hendriks had completed three live batting practice sessions. Manager Alex Cora commented that while Hendriks may not single-handedly transform the bullpen, his contribution will be valuable. Cora emphasized the importance of patience as they manage Hendriks’ return.
The 35-year-old right-hander, who won two AL Reliever of the Year awards and made three All-Star teams while recording 114 saves between 2019 and 2022, has pitched only five innings since the start of 2023. After battling Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and making a brief return to action, he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament. The Red Sox signed him on February 20 for a two-year deal worth $10 million guaranteed, with an additional $10 million available in performance bonuses.
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