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Red Sox Lose Struggling Relief Pitcher to Injured List

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated May 30, 2025 3:45 PM ET

The difficult return to action for Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks continues. The 36-year-old is headed to the injured list with righty Nick Burdi taking his roster spot.

Hendriks has faced an uphill battle for years now. In 2023, he overcame non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma but shortly thereafter underwent Tommy John surgery, which kept him out for the 2024 season.

Heading into 2025, Hendriks vied for the Red Sox closer role before ultimately losing to Aroldis Chapman. The woes are evident in a 6.59 ERA, a 4.98 FIP, and a 12:7 K:BB ratio over 13 2/3 innings.

It has been a disheartening stretch for Hendriks, who once starred as a member of the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox. From 2019-23, Hendriks was a three-time All-Star, had multiple top-nine Cy Young finishes (ninth in 2020, eighth in 2021), and even earned MVP votes during the COVID season (13th-place).

During that span, he had a 2.26 ERA, a 2.13 FIP, 359 strikeouts to 47 walks, and 114 saves over 239 innings.

Boston would have been bold to assume that type of production, especially for someone who had been away from the mound for so long. However, this disastrous season puts Hendriks at a crossroads.

Perhaps this IL stint will not only regenerate Hendriks' body but also his mind, helping him rediscover some of that prime form.

The Red Sox’s bullpen has been decent, with a combined ERA of 3.76, ranking 14th among Major League teams. But, a 27-31 record and fourth place standing in the American League East is not nearly what fans had hoped for during spring training.

Hopefully, upon Hendriks’ return, he starts to look like his old self.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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