As the Boston Red Sox push for a potential playoff spot, fans have been eager for updates on Liam Hendriks’ situation. The 36-year-old reliever has been out since May with hip inflammation, adding to the string of injuries he’s dealt with since signing with Boston ahead of the 2024 season.
After nearly four months of uncertainty, the team finally made a call on his status. Over the weekend, manager Alex Cora confirmed that Hendriks has been shut down from throwing and won’t return this season (h/t @BOSSportsGordo).
According to MassLive’s Chris Smith, the latest issue stems from forearm tightness. While it’s at least positive that his hip isn’t the problem this time, this setback likely marks the end of his tenure with the Red Sox.
Red Sox Announce RHP Liam Hendrik is Done for 2025 Season
Even if Hendriks has a speedy recovery, it doesn’t make sense for the Red Sox to use him again this year. Once an MLB All-Star reliever, he hasn’t been the same player since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023, and his struggles before he was sidelined in May prove that fact. Here’s a look at Hendriks’ stats from his last All-Star campaign (2022) compared to 2025:
| Season | ERA | WHIP | Hits Per 9 Innings | BB Per 9 Innings | Ks Per 9 Innings | K:BB Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6.59 | 1.390 | 7.9 | 4.6 | 7.9 | 1.71 |
| 2022 | 2.81 | 1.040 | 6.9 | 2.5 | 13.3 | 5.31 |
Adding to that, age is working against him—as it does for most veteran pitchers—which makes Boston’s decision to shut him down the right call. Even with a recovery, the odds are slim he could contribute meaningfully in the postseason, where every pitch carries extra weight.
Hendriks’ deal includes a $12 million mutual option for 2026, according to Spotrac, but it’s tough to see the Red Sox picking it up. Since signing, he’s logged just 13 2/3 innings, and at this stage, a clean break would serve both sides better.
Ultimately, Hendriks’ stint in Boston stands as a cautionary lesson for front offices relying too heavily on past accolades. As much as fans may have hoped for a resurgence, the decline had already begun before he arrived, and his latest injury could very well mark the end of his MLB career.
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