The Boston Red Sox got bullpen help at the trade deadline when they added two relievers in Lucas Sims and Luis García to the mix.
And another bullpen reinforcement might be on its way in the very near future.
Liam Hendriks, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery he had last season, is inching closer to his Red Sox debut and told NESN's Tom Caron prior to Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers that he looks to be back for Boston sometime this month.
The 35-year-old right-hander, who initially targeted the end of July for his return, certainly is chomping at the bit to pitch on a big league mound for the first time in over a year and his patience is starting to wear thin.
"Well, I was a patient when I had cancer. I had enough of that," Hendriks told Caron.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora revealed that Hendriks has progressed from bullpen sessions and will throw living batting practice, most likely starting Tuesday in Kansas City, per MassLive's Sean McAdam. Hendriks, who overcame a battle with stage 4 non-Hodgkins's lymphoma prior to joining the Red Sox, will throw at least three live batting practice sessions before going on a minor league rehab assignment.
"I don't know how long the rehab assignment will be," Cora told reporters, per McAdam. "This is a huge step, but it's nothing for him compared to what he's gone through the last few years."
Cora added: "I had a feeling that this was going to happen. We're getting close. How close, I don't know. But the fact he's throwing live BP next week is awesome. It's good news for everybody."
Hendriks has a track record of being a trusted reliever. His last full season came in 2022 and he notched 37 saves that year with a 2.81 ERA. Giving the Red Sox a portion of that in a setup role would go a long way for the Red Sox as they look to make a playoff push.
