White Sox Offer Encouraging Update on Liam Hendriks’s Cancer Battle

On the day before the start of the MLB regular season, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn provided reporters with a positive update on the status of relief pitcher Liam Hendriks, who’s currently undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Hendriks revealed his diagnosis back in January.

“In recent days, we’ve received positive news on Liam’s progress. He remains in treatment, still has some work ahead of him,” Hahn said, per WGN’s Josh Frydman. “However, he is making very good progress, and while we don’t currently have a specific timeline available to share with you on his potential return, those of you who pay close attention to our roster will notice that we have not placed him on the 60-day [injured list], and that is on purpose. Hopefully, at some point in April, I’ll be able to get a little more specific with a potential timeline for his return.”

By not being placed on the 60-day IL, Hendriks would be eligible to return to the active roster before the start of June.

The 34-year-old closer has spent the past two seasons with Chicago, making the All-Star team both years. He had previously pitched with the Twins, Royals, Blue Jays and A’s, with whom he emerged as a shutdown reliever in 2019.