The Chicago White Sox announced that right-handed pitcher Liam Hendricks had Tommy John surgery.
Absolutely brutal news for Hendriks.
The White Sox closer returned to the big leagues on May 29, after his battle non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The veteran right-hander made five appearances with the White Sox this season before he was placed on the injured list with inflammation in his right elbow on June 11.
Back in January, the 34-year-old pitcher announced his diagnosis and in April he happily revealed that he was in remission after four rounds of treatment. Hendriks, who continued to throw while undergoing treatment for the non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, was back on the mound on a rehab assignment on May 5. The veteran reliever pitched in six games for the Charlotte Knights at Triple-A, before making his emotional return to the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate against the Los Angeles Angels in late May.
While it was amazing to see Hendriks back with the White Sox, it was also noticeable that he wasn’t the same on the mound. It was more than rust and after five innings in his return, Hendriks was shut down with his elbow injury.
The updates weren’t all that encouraging either.
Now, Hendriks will be out for the rest of 2023 and the majority of 2024 as well.
The White Sox signed Hendriks following the 2020 season, inking the closer to a three-year contract that guaranteed the pitcher $54 million. The deal was unique, as Hendriks will make $39 million through the 2023 season and in 2024, the White Sox had an option to bring him back for $15 million. However, if declined, the White Sox would then have to pay Hendriks $1.5 million every year from 2024-2033.
No matter what, Hendriks will end up getting $54 million from the White Sox.
During his time with the White Sox, Hendriks made two All-Star teams, led the American League in saves in 2021, when he was also named the AL Reliever of the Year and made All-MLB First Team.
From 2021-22, Hendriks appeared in 127 games with the White Sox. He recorded 75 saves and had a 2.66 ERA in 128.2 innings.
Earlier this year, Hendriks was honored at the ESPYs with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Hendriks began his MLB career with the Minnesota Twins in 2011. Since then, he’s played for Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals and Oakland A’s prior to his time with the White Sox.
In 13 MLB seasons, Hendriks has pitched in 476 games, including 44 starts. The right-hander has a career 3.82 ERA with 116 saves and 33 wins, while tossing a total of 650 innings.
