Liam Hendriks is aiming for a comeback in 2026 after a rollercoaster 2025 season. Starting the year on the injured list with the Boston Red Sox, he ended with a 6.59 ERA, a stat he'd surely like to improve.
In February, Hendriks signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins, complete with an invite to their MLB spring training camp. Fast forward to March 20, and the Twins granted the 39-year-old right-hander his release after he exercised an opt-out clause in his contract.
During his stint in spring training, Hendriks posted a 0-1 record with a 3.86 ERA over seven innings, allowing three earned runs. Now, he's on the hunt for a new contract, hoping to catch the eye of a team in need of bullpen depth as a free agent.
Hendriks has had a storied career across 14 MLB seasons, playing for teams like the Twins, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland A’s, Chicago White Sox, and Red Sox. With 116 saves and a 3.88 ERA to his name, he was once among the most dependable closers in the game.
His journey hasn't been without its challenges. Diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December 2022, he made a triumphant announcement of being cancer-free by April 2023. However, a torn UCL in his right elbow later that year required Tommy John surgery, marking the end of his tenure with the White Sox.
With MLB's Opening Day just around the corner, Hendriks is in a race against time to find a new team. The Australian native is determined to prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.