2023 was a wild year for two-time AL Reliever of the Year Liam Hendricks. At the start of 2023, Hendricks announced he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He finished his chemotherapy in three months. By the end of April, Liam announced he was cancer-free. The three-time all-star made his 2023 debut a month later, on May 29th. Hendricks dealt with elbow inflammation before having Tommy John surgery and being ruled out for the remainder of the season. He became a free agent at season’s end. Today, the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year signed a 2-year deal with the Boston Red Sox. The deal includes a mutual option for 2026.
Red Sox, RHP Liam Hendriks reportedly agree to 2-year deal with a mutual option for 2026, per multiple reports including https://t.co/Z3s2EpgF39’s @Feinsand. pic.twitter.com/8A9FHHv7tN
— MLB (@MLB) February 19, 2024
Source confirms: Liam Hendriks in agreement on two-year, $10M contract, pending physical. Chance to reach $20M through incentives. Third-year mutual option. On it: @ChrisCotillo, @Sean_McAdam, @Buster_ESPN
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 19, 2024
Two-Time AL Reliever of the Year Goes to Boston
Hendricks only threw 85 pitches during the 2023 season. We’ll take a look at how well he threw his pitches in 2022. Liam’s slider was easily his best pitch of the 2022 season. Out of 274 sliders thrown, the two-time AL Reliever of the Year had a strikeout rate of nearly 61 percent. While batters at the plate had a terrible .100 batting average against Hendricks’ slider. Batters also had a .200 batting average against his curveball and struck out nearly 53 percent of the time. If the three-time all-star still has that nasty, efficient slider, then he could be in turn for a fantastic 2024 season.
Hendricks Career Stats
Liam appeared in just five games during the 2023 season. He posted a 2-0 record with a 5.40 ERA through five innings. During the 2022 season, Hendricks went 4-4 in 58 appearances on the mound. Through almost 58 innings, the three-time all-star posted a 2.81 ERA with 85 strikeouts. The two-time AL Reliever of the Year has played on five different teams since making his big league start in 2011. His best statistical season of his career was in 2019 with the Oakland Athletics. Through 75 games, Hendricks had a 4-4 record with a 1.80 ERA in 85 innings pitched. He also had 124 strikeouts and 25 saves.
Main Photo Credits: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
