MLB star Liam Hendriks returns to the field for first time in nearly two years after cancer battle and surgery

By OLIVER SALT

Baseball star and cancer survivor Liam Hendriks made yet another comeback on Sunday after returning to Major League Baseball for the first time in nearly two years.

Hendriks, who was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma back in December 2022, had not played in the major leagues since June 9, 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August of that year.

A month before the elbow injury, the Australian pitcher, 36, had only just sealed an emotional return to the mound with the Chicago White Sox following his cancer battle. 

He was then voted the American Leagues Comeback Player of the Year for the 2023 season, before joining the Red Sox and making six minor league rehab appearances last August and three this spring.

Now Hendriks is back in MLB after lining up for Boston against former team Chicago on Sunday afternoon.

Unfortunately, however, it was not a winning return as the White Sox ran out 8-4 winners to snap their six-game losing streak.

Baseball star and cancer survivor Liam Hendriks made yet another comeback on Sunday

The pitcher returned to MLB for the first time in nearly two years with the Red Sox on Sunday

Hendriks, who had elbow surgery in 2023, was pushed by wife Kristi to return to the field

Hendriks’ return to the mound did not go to plan, with the reliever giving up a two-run homer from Andrew Vaughn in the eighth. 

Elsewhere, Matt Thaiss added two-run shot for Chicago, while Wilyer Abreu hit a three-run homer for the Red Sox, who had their four-game win streak halted.

Hendriks, who already held the record for the most major league seasons by an Australian, is back for his 14th MLB season after fighting back from Tommy John surgery. The Red Sox activated him from the 15-day injured list on Saturday.

He just missed an opportunity to pitch to infielder Curtis Mead, the other Australian currently on a major league roster, with the Red Sox’s series against the Tampa Bay Rays ending last week.

A popular player known for charitable work, including providing T-shirts for team employees at last year’s season-ending staff party, Hendriks questioned his own ability during spring training.

‘Even when I was 96 (mph) in spring, they were taking way too comfortable swings on it and that was one thing that was really hampering me,’ he said. ‘It was really a mental struggle to figure out what the difference was.’

When he was sidelined, his wife Kristi pushed him to return to the field. ‘A lot of it is just showing up every day and making sure you just get that little bit better,’ Hendriks said.

‘That and the disdain from my wife (from) still being on the IL (injured list) – that was one of the motivating factors, as well.’

:
MLB star Liam Hendriks returns to the field for first time in nearly two years after cancer battle and surgery

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk