As reported by Chris Cotillo of masslive.com, Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks might be getting close to returning from an injury. The three-time All-Star, 35, has never thrown a pitch while wearing a Red Sox uniform. However, Hendricks is anticipated to make his 2024 debut in September while he heals from Tommy John surgery. Right now, it is likely that they will return in the middle of September.
Hendriks has been improving over the past few weeks. Still, it was not obvious when he would come back. Although Hendriks’ return throughout September has long been speculated about, this most recent update clarifies when exactly he may make his comeback.
It would be reasonable to question if Hendriks would pitch in 2024 if Boston was not considered for the postseason. Nonetheless, the former All-Star’s addition to the bullpen will benefit the Red Sox, who are still fighting for a playoff berth.
Current postseason prospects for the Red Sox
In the unlikely event that the 2024 season ends spectacularly, the Red Sox will not win the American League East. In the division, Boston now has a 9.5-game deficit to the New York Yankees in first place. But the Red Sox are still alive in the AL Wild Card race.
Boston is now just four games behind the Minnesota Twins for the third and final AL Wild Card place as of the time this piece was written. It won’t be easy to make up a four-game deficit, but the Red Sox could benefit from Liam Hendriks’ return.
Naturally, there’s no assurance Hendriks will bounce back and start throwing a quality ball right away. Hendricks could need some time to get back on track because he hasn’t thrown since 2023. Nevertheless, Hendriks’ presence alone will be crucial since Boston’s bullpen needs all the support it can get.
The Red Sox are hoping Hendriks can be back to playing shortly.
Red Sox supporters were taken aback when Ceddanne Rafaela.
On August 27, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3, snapping out of their rut. Ceddanne Rafaela’s answer, not Daulton Varsho’s late rally attempt, stole the show.
In the ninth inning, the outfielder blasted a home run to straightaway center field. The Sox fan who caught the ball and threw it back into the field wasn’t overjoyed that it came off the bat of a Blue Jay.
Rafaela, the shortstop, objected to the ball being returned after it was thrown by the fan all the way to him. The ball bounced off the back wall beneath the scoreboard at Fenway Park after Rafaela fired it back toward the triangle of seats in center field.
Varsho’s home run ball was eventually caught by another Sox supporter, but she looked much pleased than the original spectator—possibly because Rafaela claimed the ball as his own following such a toss. Fans have advocated for Rafaela to win Rookie of the Year following the throw, and the video, which shows the events from a fan’s perspective and from the game angle, has gone popular on social media.
Red Sox supporters in the stands receive a returning home run ball from shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela.
Baseball Savant reports that the 23-year-old infielder/outfielder has arm strength that is in the 94th percentile. Rafaela might be the only player in the league or on the Red Sox capable of making a throw like that from shortstop.
Varsho’s home run and the fan’s throw back into the infield, which was also quite a toss, were eclipsed by Rafaela’s monster toss. The youngster returned the Blue Jays’ home run ball to its rightful place and placed a cherry on top of the Red Sox’s victory on August 27.
