In the end, it wasn't an oncologist who told Liam Hendriks his career was over. "My arm has told me in no uncertain terms that it has exactly zero fastballs left in it, and my elbow has made it clear that throwing anything harder than a light breeze now requires a three-day recovery window," Hendriks wrote Tuesday, Sept. 29, on Instagram. With that, the 37-year-old pitcher who came back from cancer and Tommy John surgery on separate occasions, and pitched 14 seasons in MLB, announced his immediate retirement from baseball Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Hendriks recorded 116 saves, a 3.88 ERA and 739 strikeouts in 663.2 innings in his MLB career. He played for six organizations, beginning with the Minnesota Twins in 2011 and also spending time with the Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox. This season, Hendriks did not allow a run across four appearances for the Chicago Cubs' Triple-A affiliate in July before he was released.
More news: Former Yankees Infielder, 9-Year MLB Veteran, Announces Immediate Retirement Hendriks became a full-time closer with the Athletics in 2019 and made three consecutive All-Star teams from 2019-21. He led the AL with 38 saves in 2021 and earned the first of his two Reliever of the Year awards that season. He followed with 37 saves in 2022 for the White Sox.
Weeks after he noticed a small nodule on his scalp, Hendriks was diagnosed with lymphoma in December 2022. Hendriks spent the first part of 2023 undergoing immunotherapy and chemotherapy, but was cleared to resume pitching before the end of the season. More news: Justin Verlander’s Retirement Left Profound Impact on NBC’s Jason Benetti Unfortunately, after making only five more regular-season appearances for the White Sox, Hendriks was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow that required Tommy John surgery Hendriks made 14 appearances for the Boston Red Sox in 2025, which proved to be the last of his career.
"To the hitters who let me strike them out," the Australia native wrote on Instagram. "Thank you for the memories (and the stats). To the hitters who launched my pitches into orbit: Thank you for helping me practice my ''stare blankly at the sky while turning around on the mound' face." For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports
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