Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) is expected to be activated off the 15-day injured list prior to Saturday's contest against the Chicago White Sox. Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com noted that Hunter Dobbins is likely heading back to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Hendriks signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox before the 2024 campaign but has yet to make an appearance for them. He underwent Tommy John in 2023 and then hit the 15-day IL at the start of the 2205 campaign due to elbow inflammation. He has made three rehab appearances and fired three shutout frames. He has struck out five batters, served up two walks, and has allowed just one hit. Even though Aroldis Chapman and Justin Slaten have been the go-to options in the ninth inning, fantasy managers should expect Hendriks to see save situations throughout the campaign.

According to Chris Cotillo of Masslive.com, Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) is set to pitch again on Sunday and is nearing a return to the big leagues. As a relief pitcher, Hendriks will not need as long of a ramp-up period as the other injured pitchers in Boston, like Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Brayan Bello (shoulder). Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status after his second rehab outing on Sunday, as he could be cleared to return to Boston next week. During his first rehab outing, Hendriks logged one inning and allowed one hit while striking out three batters. He has been on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation since the start of the campaign. When he does return, he will compete with Aroldis Chapman for save opportunities.

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) had a very successful first minor-league rehab outing on Thursday with Triple-A Worcester, tossing a scoreless inning with one hit and three strikeouts. The 36-year-old veteran threw 13 of his 18 pitches for strikes and said he felt good after needing an injection in his elbow two weeks ago to help with a nerve issue. He will most likely need a few more rehab appearances before he's ready to rejoin the Red Sox's bullpen for his 2025 season debut. After recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2024, Hendriks hasn't pitched in a big-league game since June 9 of 2023, when he pitched for the Chicago White Sox. The Australian is a three-time All-Star and has 116 career saves in 13 MLB seasons, though, so he could be in the mix for saves in Boston alongside lefty Aroldis Chapman when he's fully healthy.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session on Monday and is likely to begin a minor-league rehab assignment by the weekend, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. This could put Hendriks on track to return in late April, and he figures to be in the mix for high-leverage opportunities with Aroldis Chapman and Justin Slaten. The Red Sox haven't committed to either as their full-time closer, so Hendriks could be worth a speculative add in deeper fantasy leagues where saves are hard to find.

Boston Red Sox right-hander reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday or Saturday, according to manager Alex Cora. This will be Hendriks' first bullpen session since being placed on the 15-day injured list to start the 2025 season. Hendrik's battled control problems and an elbow injury in spring training, which caused him to lose out on potentially opening the year as Boston's preferred closer. The 36-year-old veteran is unlikely to be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible on Tuesday, April 8, but it might not be much longer after that in which he's able to make his season debut in Beantown. The Australian native and three-time All-Star didn't pitch at all in the big leagues in 2024 and made just five appearances in 2023 in his final season with the White Sox due to injury, so he's far from a sure thing to stay healthy at this point of his career as a high-leverage reliever.

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) played catch at Globe Life Field on Sunday before the team's series finale against the Texas Rangers after he was originally told not to throw for three days after getting an injection to improve a compressed nerve in his right elbow. Hendriks is expecting to resume a normal throwing program in hopes of being activated from the injured list relatively soon, although it sounds the like the Red Sox won't be activating him when he's eligible to return on April 8. The team is going to exercise caution with the veteran reliever since he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since June of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery. The 36-year-old Australian has 116 career saves in 13 big-league seasons and should be a late-inning option for Boston when he's healthy, but he also had a 9.95 ERA and 2.21 WHIP in 6 1/3 innings this spring before injuring his elbow.

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) is dealing with right-elbow inflammation and is being placed on the 15-day injured list on Thursday, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo. The Red Sox announced the other day that veteran left-hander Aroldis Chapman would open the regular season as their primary closer, and now Hendriks will be on the shelf to begin the year, further dropping his fantasy appeal for those scrounging for save opportunities. The 36-year-old Australian is a three-time All-Star and has plenty of closing experience (116 career saves in 13 MLB seasons), but he didn't pitch at all in 2024 after having Tommy John surgery in 2023. His elbow issue could help explain why Hendriks struggled with his command during Grapefruit League action. With Hendriks out, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock will have bigger roles as late-inning setup men in front of Chapman.

MassLive's Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam write that Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks appears to be behind left-hander Aroldis Chapman for closing duties to begin the 2025 regular season, even though he has seemingly corrected some of the command issues he had early in camp. Second-year right-hander Justin Slaten will also be an option for the BoSox in late-inning, high-leverage situations. As things stand right now, Chapman and Slaten are ahead of Hendriks, who has allowed six earned runs on 12 hits (two homers) while walking none and striking out four in five appearances in the Grapefruit League. The 36-year-old Australian is a three-time All-Star and has 116 career MLB saves over 13 seasons, though, so he's still going to be a key member of Boston's bullpen in 2025. He just isn't much of a target for save speculators right now.

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) was up to 96 mph on the radar gun in his Grapefruit League debut on Wednesday versus the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays while tossing a scoreless inning. It was Hendriks' first game action since a minor-league rehab appearance last June. The 36-year-old veteran allowed a single and struck out one in the outing as he looks to bounce back in 2025 after not pitching at all in the big leagues last year following Tommy John surgery in 2023. The Australian native is a three-time All-Star and has 116 saves in his 13-year MLB career, so he'll be in Boston's competition for saves this season alongside Aroldis Chapman, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock. A closer committee is entirely possible, which won't help fantasy managers, but if Hendriks' velocity can stay around 96-97 mph, he should be interesting as a cheap bullpen arm in holds leagues.

MLB.com's Ian Browne writes that the Boston Red Sox competition for the closer job will start in spring training on Wednesday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays when right-hander Liam Hendriks and left-hander Aroldis Chapman are both scheduled to pitch. Justin Slaten, who is also competing for the closer's role, is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Tuesday. Right-hander Garrett Whitlock will also be competing for high-leverage duties at the back of Boston's bullpen, and it's possible the Red Sox will eventually settle on a committee approach, which will make things even more difficult for fantasy managers speculating on save chances in this bullpen. Chapman figures to be the favorite if he's healthy. Hendriks has plenty of experience (116 career saves), but the Australian is 36 years old and didn't pitch at all in 2024 due to injury.

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks was sitting at 93-94 mph during his live batting practice session at camp on Tuesday, according to The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey. Injuries have taken a toll on Hendriks in recent seasons (primarily Tommy John surgery in 2023), and while he may not throw as hard as he did earlier in his career, the 36-year-old Australian is fully healthy this spring and should play a key late-inning, high-leverage role in Boston's bullpen this year. Manager Alex Cora thinks Hendrik's velocity will continue to trend up as Opening Day in late March approaches. Although there isn't a ton of fantasy upside here, the Red Sox could go with a closer committee in 2025, giving Hendriks the opportunity for some save opportunities. Expect fewer strikeouts but a decent amount of holds and a handful of saves in 2025.

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said on Monday that veteran right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) is on track for a normal spring training in 2025. In addition to having a normal spring, the 35-year-old Australian should be "fully healthy" for the start of the regular season, giving the BoSox an experienced high-leverage reliever at the back of their bullpen. Although Hendriks hasn't been healthy in recent seasons and has also battled cancer, he is a three-time All-Star and has 116 career saves over 13 big-league seasons, so he could be firmly in play for the closer's role to begin the year. Hendriks is recovering from Tommy John surgery and didn't pitch at all last year, though, so he could struggle with efficiency and velocity early on next season. As of right now, his biggest competition for closing duties will come from veteran lefty Aroldis Chapman.

Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) is likely to be shut down for the rest of the season, according to manager Alex Cora. "Basically where we're at right now we'll probably shut him down. We've got nine games in the regular season so it's going to be hard to get him going again," Cora said. Hendriks has been working all season to return from Tommy John surgery but recently suffered a minor setback a couple weeks ago. With Boston four games back from a wild-card spot, it appears the better game plan is to have Hendriks aim for a 2025 return. The 35-year-old hasn't pitched in a major-league game since June 2023 but has been effective when healthy. Boston will need a healthy Hendriks to produce in 2025 and help a bullpen that ranks 26th in the majors with a 4.53 ERA. Fantasy managers looking for bullpen help to finish the season should look to Boston reliever Josh Winckowski, as he's posted a 3.18 ERA and recorded two saves in September for the Red Sox.

Despite suffering a minor setback in his rehab that prevented him from making back-to-back appearances this week, Boston Red Sox veteran right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) said he remains convinced he will return in 2024. Hendriks thinks he can be effective to close out the year and expects his stuff to bounce back to pre-Tommy John surgery levels in 2025. The 35-year-old Aussie is under contract with Boston next year as well and should be expected to be a key piece as a late-inning setup man. However, it remains to be seen if he'll even pitch in the big leagues down the stretch this year with the Red Sox fighting for the final spot in the American League wild-card race. The three-time All-Star has 116 career saves in his 13 years in the big leagues, but he has appeared in just five games in the last two years.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) is set to make another rehab appearance on Sunday and could return to the major leagues as early as the first or second week of September, according to MLB.com. Hendriks underwent Tommy John surgery last August and has looked quite sharp through his first innings of rehab work. The right-hander logged one shutout inning at Double-A and has recently moved up to Triple-A, where he has tossed three innings of one-hit ball. The 35-year-old is likely to take on a high-leverage role when he returns to the major leagues and should see plenty of save opportunities down the stretch as Boston remains in the Wild Card race. Fantasy managers looking to find more saves on the waiver wire should consider stashing Hendriks as he nears the end of his rehab assignment.

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) remains on track to make his Red Sox debut in September, around 13 months removed from having Tommy John surgery. Hendriks has made three minor-league rehab appearances (one for Triple-A Worcester, two for Double-A Portland) since Aug. 18 and will continue his progression this week for Worcester on Wednesday and Friday. The 35-year-old Aussie allowed an unearned run and struck out two in two-thirds of an inning in his outing with Portland on Sunday, throwing 13 of his 19 pitches for strikes. Hendriks, who has 116 career saves in 13 big-league seasons with five different teams, should become an experienced late-inning setup option in front of closer Kenley Jansen to wrap up the final month of the regular season in September.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) felt good after his first minor-league outing and will head to Double-A Portland for the next few outings. Hendriks started his rehab assignment on Sunday at Triple-A Worcester and looked sharp, throwing a clean inning in which he needed just 12 pitches. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander's fantasy impact is going to be muted when it's all said and done for the 2024 regular season, but he's working his way toward being a potentially major weapon out of Boston's bullpen if the Red Sox are able to advance to the postseason this fall. Fellow veteran righty Kenley Jansen has saved 23 games out of 26 opportunities for the BoSox this year, and even if Hendriks returns from last year's Tommy John surgery in September, he should remain their go-to closer the rest of the way.

Boston Red Sox veteran right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) will start a minor-league rehab assignment on Sunday, likely with Triple-A Worcester, barring any setbacks. The Red Sox want to see Hendriks throw around seven outings in the minors before allowing him to make his 2024 debut. Hendriks has nearing an end to his long recovery from Tommy John surgery and will join Boston's bullpen for the stretch run this year. The 35-year-old Aussie has been an All-Star three times in his 13 years in the big leagues and also has 116 career saves, so he'll give the big-league bullpen plenty of experience alongside closer Kenley Jansen. However, given Hendriks' long layoff, there's a good chance he'll be eased into high-leverage relief situations when he eventually makes his Red Sox debut, which may not come until September.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Wednesday that right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) could start a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend. Hendriks is nearing game action after tossing a live batting practice session on Wednesday. Barring a setback as he recovers from Tommy John surgery that he had in August of last year, the 35-year-old veteran could be ready to make his 2024 debut in the big leagues after around six to eight appearances in the minors. The Australian hurler has 116 saves in 13 big-league seasons, so the three-time All-Star will bring plenty of late-inning, high-leverage experience to Boston's bullpen when he comes off the 60-day injured list. However, he could be eased into lower-leverage situations upon his return and probably isn't going to have much fantasy appeal with time running out in the 2204 season.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) threw his first live batting practice session on the mound ahead of Tuesday's game against the hosting Kansas City Royals. Hendriks threw 15 pitches, both fastballs and sliders, in the first of three or four scheduled live BP sessions, with the next being scheduled for Saturday if he bounces back well. The 35-year-old three-time All-Star has not pitched in the big leagues since undergoing Tommy John surgery a season ago, and he still is targeting a September return to the major leagues if his live sessions and eventual minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester go well. With that said, Hendriks is running out of time to be a factor for fantasy managers in 2024, and his impact as a setup man ahead of closer Kenley Jansen will likely be felt more if the Red Sox advance to the postseason in October.