The Minnesota Twins are taking a calculated swing at bullpen depth - and maybe a bit of nostalgia - by bringing back a familiar face. Veteran reliever Liam Hendriks has signed a minor league deal with an invite to Major League camp, giving the club a potential high-upside addition as Opening Day approaches.
Hendriks, a three-time All-Star, first broke into the big leagues with the Twins back in 2011. His initial stint in Minnesota was modest - 30 appearances over three seasons - but his career arc since then has been anything but. From 2019 to 2022, Hendriks emerged as one of the most dominant closers in the game, anchoring bullpens in Oakland and Chicago and leading the American League with 38 saves in 2021.
But the past few years have tested him in ways that go far beyond the mound.
In December 2022, Hendriks was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He fought through it with the same intensity he brings to the ninth inning, and while his return to the mound was inspirational, his body still had more hurdles in store.
He underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2024 season. In total, he’s logged just 18.2 innings over the last three years.
Last season, he made a brief comeback attempt with the Red Sox, appearing in 14 games before right hip inflammation shut him down once again.
So why the Twins? And why now?
For Minnesota, this is a classic low-risk, high-reward scenario. If Hendriks can regain even a fraction of the form that made him one of baseball’s most feared closers, the bullpen gets a massive boost.
If not, there’s no significant financial commitment tied to the minor league deal. But beyond the numbers, Hendriks brings something else that can’t be measured on a stat sheet: leadership.
At 37, Hendriks has seen just about everything the game - and life - can throw at you. His presence in spring training could be invaluable for a younger Twins bullpen, offering insight, guidance, and a daily example of perseverance.
There’s no guarantee he’ll break camp with the big league club, and no one’s expecting him to immediately reclaim his All-Star form. But if there’s one thing Hendriks has proven time and again, it’s that betting against him is a risky move.
For the Twins, this signing is more than a reunion. It’s a chance to tap into the heart of a competitor who’s battled through more than most and still has something left to give.