The Aussie mouthpiece is back to business! Yes, the Aussie pitcher Liam Hendriks was seen going all guns blazing during this spring training with the Red Sox. While 2024 was a lost case for Hendriks, considering his injury-ridden seasons, 2025 is offering a positive picture. His 96-mph fireball against the Rays today is enough for Hendriks to announce his arrival. However, is it enough?

Might be not! Liam Hendriks is targeting getting a closer job for the Red Sox this season. While he is putting all in the line for the same, the enriched bullpen of the Red Sox is what comes in between. Hendriks knows the bullpen strength of the team, which makes him desperate for an opportunity to prove himself. Considering this is the last year of the contract with the Red Sox, how much is left with Hendriks to prove? Is he eligible enough to beat the competition for his coveted closer job?

Just one opportunity for Liam Hendriks to prove

The 3x All-Star, 2x All-MLB First Team, and 2x AL Reliever of the Year need nothing to prove more on the field. If only the player is not Liam Hendriks! After completing a decorated stint with the White Sox, the Red Sox announced that they signed Hendriks last year. The news came with much attention and hype that didn’t last long. He started his Red Sox stint with a 60-day injured list and was limited to six rehab appearances in 2024 due to forearm soreness and elbow inflammation. This would have marked the end of the career for a 36-year-old veteran, but not Liam Hendriks. 

Typical of his persona, he made a comeback this year and threw a few fireballs in this spring season. Hendriks threw 20 pitches on Wednesday, 12 of them strikes. Well, Hendriks is the father of comeback, and this performance is expected from him. The 2023 AL Comeback Player of the Year knows how to play things right. However, now what he needs is an opportunity to excel at the biggest stage. “I just want to be given an opportunity for it. If I win the job, I win the job. If I don’t win the job, I don’t win the job. It’s not going to change how I go about pitching or my mentality about anything,” said Hendriks. 

High competition ahead 

The journey to earn the coveted job is not yet over for Liam Hendriks. The competition is huge in front of him. For those unaware, The Red Sox’s bullpen is pretty star-studded now with 7x All-Star Aroldis Chapman, Justin Slaten, Garrett Whitlock, and Justin Wilson. Chapman is coming with a moderate performance from the last year and still holds the record for the fastest pitch in MLB history. So, what chances are left for Hendriks? Post-departure of Kenley Jansen, the closer role is left open to fill for the Red Sox—a ray of hope for Hendriks. 

The team is still looking to further strengthen their bullpen, aiming to improve their pitching performance, particularly after struggling with blown saves in the previous season. No one can be a better option here than placing a veteran, where the Red Sox got Hendriks and Chapman. While Chapman throws some devastating fastballs, Hendriks is no less. He averaged 97.6 mph with his fastball during his last full season in 2022, and this spring season, he already touched 96 mph. Hence, Hendriks is all ready and equipped for the big stage. 

More than Hendriks getting an opportunity or not, the persona he carries matters most for the team. Given an opportunity, that will get amplified. What do you think about Hendriks’ chance this year? Share your views with us below.