The Boston Red Sox recently made a very intriguing move.
Boston still is looking for ways to add throughout the organization and signed three-time All-Star Liam Hendriks to help add even more depth to the bullpen. He won't be ready to go at the beginning of the season, though, as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
Some have wondered if Hendriks will be able to take the mound in 2024 and it certainly sounds like he plans to. The 35-year-old reportedly is hoping to return to the field around the trade deadline, according to The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey.
"Hendriks has a target of getting back by the trade deadline," McCaffrey said. "Said he’ll pitch in any role they need him whether it’s the fourth or seventh, seems to want to make it clear he’s not vying for (Kenley Jansen’s) or (Chris Martin’s) spot. He’ll be doing his rehab in Boston rather than Fort Myers"
The 35-year-old missed almost the entire 2023 season as he recovered from cancer treatment and then injured his elbow. While this is the case, he was one of the best relievers in baseball from 2019 to 2022 and will be a massive pickup for Boston if he can return to form.
Hendriks racked up his three All-Star nods and won two Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year awards from 2019 to 2022 and could form a fearsome trio with Jansen and Martin.
Boston still has plenty of work to do, but the bullpen could end up being one of the club's biggest strengths in 2024.
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