This past offseason saw Chicago White Sox 3x All-Star Liam Hendriks get diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The 34-year-old Australian native managed to overcome his battle, announcing he was cancer-free on April 20.
Just over a month later, Hendriks made his 2023 debut. Yet, his time on the mound wouldn’t last long, as Hendriks made it through just five innings in five appearances before experiencing elbow inflammation in early June.
Placed on the 15-day injured list at the time, Hendriks later received a cortisone shot aimed at seeing if he could return to play. He even resumed throwing and had a bullpen session in mid-July before taking part in a simulated game.
Yet, Hendriks is now back on the road to recovery after undergoing Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. The White Sox expect his recovery time will take anywhere from 12 to 14 months. This is why many don’t anticipate seeing Hendricks back on the diamond until the 2025 MLB season at the earliest.
Having pitched 13 MLB seasons for five different teams, Hendriks has shown he can be one of the best closers in baseball, when healthy. Hendriks has a $15 million team option for the 2024 season, which includes a $15 million buyout that will be deferred through 2033.
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