Liam Hendriks was never expected to be a major factor in the Boston Red Sox’s postseason push, and the latest update all but confirms that. The veteran right-hander has not pitched for the club since May 27, when lingering hip inflammation forced him to the injured list just a few days later, on May 30.
After months of rehab and attempts to work his way back, manager Alex Cora revealed Saturday that Hendriks has now been shut down once again after experiencing tightness in his arm. That setback makes it highly unlikely that he will return to the mound before the end of the regular season, and even if he did, the odds of him cracking the playoff roster would remain slim.
Cora’s usage of Hendriks earlier in the year offers more context. Even when the former All-Star was available, he was not trusted in big moments. Hendriks never emerged as a reliable high-leverage option, and his performance numbers reflected those struggles. Across just 13 2/3 innings, he was tagged for a 6.59 ERA along with a 5.04 FIP, statistics that highlight his difficulty keeping hitters in check.
One of the clearest indicators of decline was the dip in his fastball velocity. At his peak, Hendriks’s heater sat comfortably in the upper-90s and often overpowered hitters. This season, however, it averaged just 94.9 mph, a noticeable drop that left him without the same ability to dominate. That lack of explosiveness allowed opposing hitters to put more balls in play, which in turn drove up his ERA and limited his overall effectiveness.
Now 35 and set to become a free agent once the season concludes, Hendriks faces an uncertain future. His recent string of injuries combined with diminished results makes it difficult to envision a team offering him anything more than a short-term, prove-it type of deal.
For the Red Sox, the bullpen picture will continue to narrow in September as the club enters its most critical stretch of games. With Hendriks out of the mix, the responsibility for lower-leverage innings has recently fallen to arms like Chris Murphy and Zack Kelly, while Cora leans on more trusted relievers in tight situations.
Boston will try to stay focused on the task at hand as they continue their crucial weekend series against the rival New York Yankees on Saturday afternoon.
