Red Sox’s Liam Hendriks clears air about Cora’s injury comments

Talking forward of Sunday’s win over the Houston Astros, Pink Sox supervisor Alex Cora famous that veteran reliever Liam Hendriks’ season was doubtlessly over as a consequence of damage.

That was information to the candid righty. 

Chatting with reporters Monday at Fenway Park, Hendriks stated any speak of his season coming to an early finish was incorrect — labeling Cora’s feedback as a “slip of the tongue.”

“That was shocking. That form of shook me just a little bit,” Hendriks stated, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “I used to be like, ‘OK, let me learn this factor.’ That was irritating. It was like, ‘Have they not advised me something that’s occurring? Am I out of the loop? What’s occurring?’ Everybody I’ve spoken to about this has stated, ‘No, we’re pushing to get you again this yr.’ 

“You hear that and also you’re like, ‘Are they simply mendacity to my face to appease me?’ Which isn’t the case. It was only a slip of the tongue, sadly. It was positively not factor for me to listen to. However we hashed it out and we’re all good.”

Hendriks has not pitched since Could 27, with the previous All-Star nearer hampered by an damage that was initially deemed as proper hip irritation. He was later identified with a sports activities hernia, however further testing recognized his damage as a strained stomach facet wall.

Not like a hernia — which ultimately requires a surgical process to totally heal the ailment — an stomach pressure may be corrected via particular workout routines and a non-surgical restoration plan, providing hope that the reliever can return earlier than the 2025 season wraps. 

“It’s method too early to say I gained’t pitch this yr,” Hendriks stated. “If the whole lot goes nicely, I’ll positively pitch this yr as lengthy we maintain transferring in that path. I spoke to A.C. about it and it was only a slip of the tongue. He apologized and we’re transferring on.”

Talking on Tuesday forward of Boston’s sport towards the Royals, Cora admitted that his preliminary feedback might need been untimely. 

“I bought forward of myself and we cleared it up and I hope he pitches this yr,” Cora said, as reported by MassLive’s Christopher Smith.

Hendriks, who was initially anticipated to function a high-leverage reliever in entrance of Aroldis Chapman this season, has solely appeared in 14 video games this season with Boston, sporting a 6.59 ERA. 

Even along with his damage woes, Hendriks’ return could be welcome for a Pink Sox group that may use all the assistance it will possibly get down the stretch because it tries to punch its ticket to the postseason.

“It’s good, on the trajectory we’re going, that even in the event you get again in mid-September, it’s not simply two weeks,” Hendriks advised Cotillo. “There’s going to be an extended time to nonetheless proceed to play. In the event you’re pushing to try to get again for the 2 weeks, it’s pure satisfaction. If I’m pushing to get again for 2 weeks plus, doubtlessly, playoffs, it’s to assist this group win.

“I’m attempting to not push this as laborious as I can which could be very grating and laborious for me due to my character. I want to ensure I do that factor the correct method. I’m undecided how a lot I can afford one other misplaced yr.”

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author masking the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Pink Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.