ARLINGTON, Texas — Closer Liam Hendriks, who made an inspiring comeback from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma to pitch for the White Sox this season, had surgery Wednesday morning to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
Hendriks’ recovery is expected to take approximately 12 to 14 months, which effectively means he will not pitch next season, his last under a four-year, $54 million deal signed in January 2021. The Tommy John procedure was performed by Dr. Keith Meister at TMI Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery in Texas.
It’s a disheartening turn of events for Hendriks, 34, whose comeback from cancer was one of the best stories in baseball and one of the only bright ones in an awful season for the Sox. Hendriks made his first appearance May 29 against the Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field, but made his fifth and last June 9 against the Marlins in Chicago before landing on the 15-day injured list June 11 with right elbow inflammation. In five games covering five innings, Hendriks was 2-0 with a 5.40 ERA.
During his recovery, Hendriks was throwing bullpen sessions in spring training. He began the season on the injured list to continue his treatment for cancer and had revealed his diagnosis Jan. 8. He completed treatment on April 3 and announced he was cancer-free on April 20.
Hendriks was awarded the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2023 ESPYs on July 12.
“I can’t imagine what his life has been like since he found out he had cancer,” catcher Seby Zavala said. “He had to go through that, come back, arm issues and now getting Tommy John surgery. But he’s a tough guy, and I know he’s going to pull through and do whatever he has to do. I think he’s meeting us in Cleveland, so he wants to be around the guys, and hopefully we can have some fun.”
It became apparent in recent weeks that Hendriks, who was with the team on a daily basis at home and the road through Tuesday in Texas, might not pitch again this season. He was gradually ramping up with bullpen sessions and a simulated game in New York on July 19, when he threw 17 pitches, his velocity peaking in the low 90s. Meanwhile, the Sox were tumbling to 23 games below .500, diminishing the need for Hendriks to come back.
Under the terms of his contract, the Sox hold a $15 million option or $15 million buyout for 2024. If the club option is declined, the buyout will be paid in 10 equal installments between 2024 and 2033.
While on the IL with a forearm flexor strain, Hendriks said last season that he had pitched with a partially torn UCL and oft-times “manageable” pain since 2008.
“There was pain, and it was like, ‘Enough of the pain, let’s go get it,’ ” Sox manager Pedro Grifol said before the Sox’ 11-1 loss to the Rangers on Wednesday.
With Kendall Graveman traded in the flurry of deals made before the deadline, right-hander Gregory Santos is getting a look-see in the closer’s role. He pitched a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts in a 3-0 win over the Guardians on Friday in Chicago.
“I was looking for this chance for a very long time,” Santos said Wednesday. “Pedro said, ‘Do you think you have the guts to go out there and close games?’ I said, ‘Yeah, of course. That’s what I want to do.’ He said, ‘Well, don’t worry. Your chance is going to come.’ ’’
Santos has a 2.63 ERA and a 2.41 FIP (fielding independent pitching). He was on pace to pitch 77 innings, which would be the most by a Sox relief pitcher since 2013.
“[Hendriks] said whatever I need, he’s there for me,” Santos said. “I am definitely going to take his word. If I need any advice or something I know that he can give me, I will ask him.”
