Liam

Hendriks

Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Hendriks will likely be activated for Friday’s series opener against the White Sox. The 36-year-old veteran tossed a scoreless inning on Sunday for Triple-A Worcester and will make at least one additional rehab outing before making his long-awaited Boston debut at Fenway Park.

Hendriks struck out one, issued one walk and needed just 18 pitches (10 strikes) to navigate a scoreless frame in his latest rehab outing. He could be ready to make his long-awaited Boston debut at some point next week. The 36-year-old righty averaged 94.1 mph on his fastball, which is an encouraging development. He’ll bolster Boston’s high-leverage mix, but it might be unrealistic to expect him to step into closing situations right away, despite his resume.

Hendriks, returning from a compressed nerve in his elbow, averaged 94.3 mph with his fastball and fanned three out of four batters, allowing only a soft hit in the process. He might finally make his Red Sox debut next week after a couple of more appearances.

Hendriks completed a bullpen session on Monday without any issues and should be ready to get into minor league games by this weekend. The 36-year-old righty opened the year on the injured list with elbow inflammation. He should be ready to make his long-awaited Red Sox debut by the end of April.

The 36-year-old right-hander underwent an evaluation this week after experiencing inflammation in his elbow. Fortunately, there’s nothing wrong structurally and he shouldn’t require an extended absence. Aroldis Chapman has already been named the team’s closer and will continue to function in that role, though Justin Slaten is the one who worked the ninth inning and recorded a save on Opening Day.

That’s not great news. Hendriks had already lost the battle for the closer’s job to Aroldis Chapman in part because his velocity was down this spring. Considering the veteran is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, the elbow inflammation is at least mildly concerning. We’ll wait for more information but Justin Slaten could pick up some saves to start the season if Chapman is needed to get left-handed hitters out in the eighth inning.

It wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement from Cora, who added that he wouldn’t be surprised if there was some mixing and matching depending on situational matchups. It sounds like Cora is leaving the door open to use Chapman prior to the ninth inning with a lead to protect if there are a couple tough left-handed batters coming up, which would lead to someone like Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten or Garrett Whitlock to vulture the occasional save. It’s not quite a full-fledged closer by committee situation, but it’s close.

Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the eighth before Hendriks allowed a double and an RBI single with two outs in the ninth. Based on spring performance, Hendriks should not be Boston’s closer to open the regular season; he’s allowed seven runs, two homers and 14 hits in six innings to date. We’re guessing Chapman will open up as the team’s primary ninth-inning option, but he’ll probably be shaky enough to leave the door open for Hendriks or maybe Garrett Whitlock.

He surrendered three hits, including a homer to Garrett Cooper. Hendriks has allowed six runs and 11 hits in four innings this spring, and barring a big turnaround, it doesn’t appear that he’ll be the choice to close for the Red Sox initially. Aroldis Chapman is probably the favorite for saves for the short term, but Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten might prove to be Boston’s best relievers.

The inning ended on a baserunning miscue after the fourth single. There still hasn’t been any Statcast data for Hendriks, since all of his appearances have come in home games. He’s thus far given up four runs and eight hits in three innings, and as early as it is, that doesn’t seem to bode well. If Hendriks fails to secure closing duties in Boston, then Aroldis Chapman could open up in the role. Ideally, Justin Slater or Garrett Whitlock would prove ready to step in at some point.