Coming into the 2025 season, the Boston Red Sox had a two-man race for the closer role between Aroldis Chapman and Liam Hendriks.
Hendriks had a 9.95 spring training ERA and was bumped into a set-up spot, while Chapman has excelled in high-leverage so far. The 37-year-old is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, a 3.34 FIP, and two saves through his first four appearances.
Hendriks also started the season on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation but has finally taken a step in the right direction.
According to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live, the 36-year-old will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday:
Liam Hendriks is starting a rehab assignment with the WooSox tomorrow.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 9, 2025
The “WooSox” should allow Hendriks to ramp up and rediscover his electric stuff. He missed all of 2024 with the Chicago White Sox after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and while his inflammation was certainly cause for concern, it’s encouraging that he is on the journey toward playing.
Hendriks also famously overcame stage-four non-Hodgkin lymphoma after being diagnosed in December of 2022. Elbow injuries are no joke, but the veteran has shown the ability to recover from even the scariest of illnesses.
Outside of Chapman, this is not the most daunting bullpen. Garrett Whitlock and Greg Weissert each have 3.38 ERAs, but guys like Zack Kelly, Justin Slater, and Cooper Criswell have not inspired much faith in this early portion of the season.
The bullpen also has a cumulative ERA of 4.10, 12th worst in the Majors.
Hendriks has not pitched a full season since his 2022 all-star campaign, but when he does return, he will make a valuable addition to this unit. As a righty, he should form a formidable tandem with the southpaw Chapman at the end of games.
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