As the Boston Red Sox gear up for their postseason journey, one familiar face won’t be joining the ride. Liam Hendriks, the three-time American League All-Star reliever, has seen his tumultuous tenure with the team come to a definitive close following season-ending elbow surgery on Monday. The procedure dashed any lingering hopes of a late-season comeback for the 36-year-old right-hander, who hasn’t taken the mound since May 27.
Hendriks’ time in Boston has been a tale of high expectations and harsh realities. After signing a two-year, $10 million contract with the Red Sox while recovering from Tommy John surgery, the veteran pitcher aimed to reclaim his status as one of baseball’s elite closers. His initial target was a return last fall, but injuries and setbacks plagued his journey. Over the course of his guaranteed deal, Hendriks managed just 13 2/3 innings, posting a disappointing 6.59 ERA—a far cry from the dominance that once defined his career.
The end of the season doesn’t just mark the conclusion of Hendriks’ 2025 campaign—it likely signals the end of his Red Sox tenure altogether. His contract includes a $12 million mutual option for 2026, but mutual options are rarely exercised by both parties. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Red Sox are expected to decline the option, opting instead to pay Hendriks a $2 million buyout as part of the original $10 million guarantee.
“Hendriks knows his market won’t be as robust as it was two years ago when the Red Sox were willing to guarantee $10 million to see through the end of his rehab,” Cotillo noted. The decision is hardly surprising given Hendriks’ injury-plagued season and lackluster performance when he did pitch.
Hendriks’ struggles in 2025 extended beyond the field. Back in August, tension surfaced when Red Sox manager Alex Cora suggested that Hendriks might not return at all this season—a comment that didn’t sit well with the veteran pitcher. Cora later called it a “slip of the tongue,” but his words proved prescient. Hendriks never made it back to the mound, and his latest surgery ensures he won’t be part of Boston’s postseason push.
The relationship between Hendriks and the Red Sox, while professional, seemed strained at times, with the pitcher’s frustration over his recovery timeline clashing with the team’s cautious approach. Despite his reputation as a well-liked figure in the clubhouse, the combination of injuries, underwhelming results, and off-field awkwardness has likely sealed his fate in Boston.
As the Red Sox prepare to move forward without him, Hendriks faces an uncertain future. Once a dominant force in the bullpen, his injury history and recent performance may temper interest from other teams. Still, the fiery right-hander’s track record—three All-Star nods and a reputation for resilience—could spark a comeback bid elsewhere in 2026.