Liam Hendriks is returning to the mound for the White Sox.
The All-Star reliever spent virtually six months combating non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In April, Hendriks introduced that he was in remission. Now, he is on the precipice of taking the hill once more for Chicago. The franchise introduced that Hendriks shall be activated from the injured record for Monday’s recreation vs. the Angels.
The White Sox used each software at their disposal to alert the plenty to Hendriks’ impending return, together with a poignant video on Twitter. The 90-second manufacturing options quite a few teammates, from Dylan Stop to Andrew Vaughn, providing sort phrases.
MORE: White Sox’s Liam Hendriks says he might have pitched with most cancers in 2022
The message was easy: Welcome again, Liam. The gamers and coaches embraced Hendriks, considered one of baseball’s extra effervescent personalities, returning to the clubhouse.
Your journey is an inspiration. We couldn’t be extra proud.
Welcome again, Liam Hendriks! pic.twitter.com/fbQ6jwJsks
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) Might 28, 2023
Hendriks was recognized with Stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma in December. He stated that he believed the most cancers impacted him method earlier than his analysis; he observed lumps in his neck and hips final summer season.
Earlier in Might, the 34-year-old credited his potential return to a “why not me” angle that he employed shortly after receiving his check outcomes. He confirmed indicators of progress within the early months of remedy after which introduced that he was in remission.
MORE: Hendriks ‘cancer-free’ after non-Hodgkin lymphoma analysis
Hendriks’ large league return took a while after that. The 2-time Mariano Rivera Reliever of the 12 months winner trekked to Charlotte for a rehab stint with the White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate. In six appearances, he allowed six earned runs in 5 innings with 5 strikeouts and one stroll.
He then rejoined Chicago’s large league squad and threw three reside batting classes, per MLB.com.
Now, he is set to slip right into a bullpen that has been noticeably improved as of late; Chicago’s relievers have posted a 2.35 ERA within the group’s final 14 video games.
There could also be a temptation to right away hand Hendriks the ball in tight spots. He is one of many recreation’s finest closers when he is on: Hendriks sports activities a 2.26 ERA over his previous 4 seasons, with 114 saves, 359 strikeouts and 47 walks in 239 innings pitched.
Supervisor Pedro Grifol would not really feel the necessity to go that method, nonetheless. He stated that the White Sox are planning to carry Hendriks again in non-pressure conditions. They’re hoping that these circumstances will enable him to finally return to his finest.
“We’ll be sure that his comeback is, [that] he is able to go, to be the Liam Hendriks that all of us need him to be and that he needs him to be,” Grifol stated Thursday.
