ARLINGTON, Texas — All-Star closer Liam Hendriks, who made an inspiring comeback from Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma to pitch for the White Sox this season, underwent surgery Wednesday morning to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
Hendriks’ recovery is expected to take approximately 12-14 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 Arlington, Texas.
It’s a disheartening turn of events for Hendriks, 34, whose comeback from cancer was one of the best stories in baseball and perhaps the only bright one in an awful season for the Sox. Hendriks made his first appearance of the season on May 29 against the Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field, but made his fifth and last appearance on 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 bullpens during spring training. He began the season on the injured list to continue his treatment for cancer, and revealed his diagnosis on January 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.
It became apparent in recent weeks as 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 bullpens 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 22 games below .500, diminishing the need for Hendriks to come back.
Under 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 2024-33.
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 played the Rangers Wednesday.
In Hendriks’ absence, Grifol went to Kendall Graveman in most ninth-inning situations. With Graveman traded in the flurry of deals made before the trade 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 Friday in Chicago.
“I was looking for this chance for a very long time,” Santos said Wednesday. “I remember having a conversation with Pedro and he 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. Keep working, keep doing your job.’ ’’
Santos said he goes in with the mindset that it’s just another tough inning.
“Let him keep thinking that,” Grifol said. “That’s really cool. That’s probably what make good closers good closers because they do think that. I’m happy he thinks that way.”
Santos owns a 2.63 ERA and a 2.41 fielding independent pitching ERA. He has struck out 51 batters while walking 11 in 51 1⁄3 innings. He was on pace to pitch 77 innings, which would be the most by a Sox 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.”
