Liam Hendriks thanks White Sox fans for his welcome back from cancer

Liam Hendriks has thanked Chicago White Sox fans for their support throughout his cancer treatment after making an emotional return to baseball on Monday night.

The 34-year-old was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in January but treatment has been a success – he is already cancer free and is now back playing in MLB.

He returned with a 96mph with his first ball at the top of the eight inning but the White Sox were beaten 6-4 by the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night.

But the night belonged to Hendriks and he took to Instagram on Tuesday after reflection on his return.

The 34-year-old Hendriks was diagnosed with cancer in January but has already made it back

‘An unforgettable night on the Southside,’ Hendriks wrote. ‘Thank you White Sox fans for the warm welcome.

‘I couldn’t have said F Cancer without you.’ 

Speaking on Monday night after the game, Hendriks said of his return: ‘It was great being back out there.

‘Getting back, putting cleats on, running out, doing all that. I felt good, I felt strong, I felt comfortable out there.

‘Unfortunately for me, I just wasn’t able to get the two-strike pitch where I wanted to.

‘There (were) some positives from a purely baseball aspect, but there was definitely some things to work on.’

The White Sox are back in action against the Angels on Tuesday night.