Liam Hendriks does it again. The Chicago White Sox are about to get back one of their star players after a scary break period. In January 2023, the closer announced that he had non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He started the baseball season away from the field, in chemotherapy. Fortunately, in April, Hendriks finished the treatment and was declared cancer free. After one of the quickest recoveries MLB has seen, the 3x All-Star is already planning to pitch in MLB again.
Scary bodily injuries are not uncommon to see in baseball, and while fans pray for quick recovery of the player, Hendriks’ case was different. Still, it seems like he’s ready for a comeback.
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Liam Hendriks will throw live batting practice on Friday
It has been less than 6 months since Hendriks was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. And yet, the pitcher championed his disease and made a quick recovery. After just 4 months since the diagnosis, the Australian played a Minor League game and gave a stellar performance. Now, it may only be a matter of time before he comes back to MLB.
Spoke with White Sox closer Liam Hendriks, who is headed to Chicago this week following a AAA rehab less than six months after he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Plan is for him to throw live BP on Friday and, should it go well, he'll pitch in the big leagues soon thereafter.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 18, 2023
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that following his Triple-A rehab, Hendriks will now throw live batting practice on Friday at Comerica Park. If all goes well, the White Sox star could come back to the major leagues sooner rather than later.
“As soon as he throws it, we’ll take a look at it, sit down as an organization and see where we go,” said team manager Pedro Grifol. “It all depends on how he looks [Friday], the progression that he’s made, where he feels he is, how his body feels, where we feel he is. We’re going to make sure he’s ready to go and be the Liam Hendriks we all want him to be and he wants to be.”
Chicago White Sox fans are excited about this comeback
Hendriks’ journey has not been one without pain. But he has had his fans’ unwavering support in the process. Most of them are now excited to see the closer back on the MLB mound.
If he does get to pitch soon, he deserves comeback player of the year for sure!
— Katie Pruss (@kp_hockeygirl92) May 18, 2023
Holy shit man that rocks
— Kyle Treats 🦬 (@KyleTreats) May 18, 2023
Some were surprised to know that it was stage 4 lymphoma.
Holy shit stage 4???? What a goddamn legend, nothing phases the Aussies. Can’t help but root for that guy.
— Wadebregade14 (@wadebregade14) May 18, 2023
I had no idea it was stage 4 😳
— Tweetmix (@tweetmix) May 18, 2023
Most were excited to watch him pitch again.
That first game back is gonna be special.
— Joe Ruffalo 📸 (@jruff96) May 18, 2023
Can’t wait to see him pitch again
— Lurry W (@lurrrrrrrrrry) May 18, 2023
While a set official date will take time, let’s hope Hendriks can get back to his beloved game soon!
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Written by
Edited by
Manaal Siddiqui