Imago
Oct 10, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (31) reacts after striking out Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (not pictured) for the final out of the game during game three of the 2021 ALDS at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Imago
Oct 10, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (31) reacts after striking out Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (not pictured) for the final out of the game during game three of the 2021 ALDS at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox are gaining back their star. With one of the most inspirational stories of bravery that baseball has seen, Liam Hendriks is making a comeback. The pitcher announced early this year that he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Leaving the MLB world worried, Hendriks underwent chemotherapy to battle his malignant disease. He announced his news in January; in April, Hendriks was declared cancer-free.
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The White Sox gave regular updates about his condition and what his comeback would look like. Less than six months after his diagnosis, Hendriks is already making a comeback.
Liam Hendriks is back with the Chicago White Sox on Monday
The 24-year-old will be activated for the White Sox ahead of the game vs the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. The team announced the happy news on Sunday in a welcome-back video. Last week, team manager Pedro Grifol said, “We’re going to make sure that his comeback is, [that] he’s ready to go, to be the Liam Hendriks that we all want him to be and that he wants him to be.”
The White Sox have announced that closer Liam Hendriks will rejoin the team tomorrow vs. the Angels
Welcome back, Liam! 🖤 pic.twitter.com/JrV5BMRyRc
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 28, 2023
From Spring Training to a rehab stint in Triple-A Charlotte, Hendriks played whenever he was healthy enough to do so. His indomitable spirit and passion for the sport are perhaps what accelerated his recovery time. Less than five months after his treatment for stage 4 cancer started, Hendriks is already back on the mound.
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After throwing live batting practice at least three times, the closer is ready to take on Los Angeles. And fans are equally excited to see him and his Slydah.
Chicago White Sox fans can’t wait to see Hendriks back in the game
When FOX Sports announced the news on Twitter, baseball fans immediately flooded the comments with love and support. Regardless of what team they support, the Australian player left his mark on fans’ hearts with his inspiring story.
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As a Baseball fan in general, what a great story this is. Makes me really happy for him and the @whitesox organization.
— Anthony "El Ángel Trovador" (@elangeltrovador) May 28, 2023
This is amazing!!!
— Shyguy (@shyguy816) May 28, 2023
Can’t wait to see my closer back tomorrow on Memorial Day 🙏🙏🙏
— ⚪️ 𝕎𝕊𝕏𝔼𝕄𝔸ℕ ⚫️ (@WSXEMAN) May 28, 2023
One fan even expressed how they were fine with seeing an opposing team’s pitcher on the mound.
This is the first time ever that I’m perfectly fine with a reliever shutting us down
— Nolan Brooks (28-26) (@NolanBrooks04) May 28, 2023
Most fans welcomed him back with open arms.
Bloody brilliant! Will be awesome to see you back out there mate.
— Vince Mapstone 🇦🇺 (@VinceMapstone) May 29, 2023
MEGA W
— Jay Quentin (@JayQuentin22) May 29, 2023
In his third and last season with the White Sox, Hendriks signed a three-year, $54 million deal before the 2021 season. He has made the All-Star teams in each of those two years and proved why he was worth being in Chicago. With a 2.66 ERA over 128 2/3 innings and 75 saves, fans are excited o see Hendriks back in action.
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