Craig Breslow Issues Update On Red Sox Reliever After IL Move

The Red Sox will introduce multiple new faces to start the 2025 MLB season, except for Liam Hendriks.

Boston placed the three-time All-Star on the 15-day injured list due to elbow inflammation. Hendriks was competing for the closer job, which Aroldis Chapman won, and was expected to be a key component of a revamped bullpen.

It’s never ideal to have one of your key players on the IL early in the season, but chief baseball officer Craig Breslow didn’t seem worried about Hendriks’ status.

“I don’t think there’s anything significant going on. Just wasn’t bouncing back the way he had hoped, stuff wasn’t where he wanted it to be,” Breslow told reporters Thursday, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “Given Opening Day always brings a ton of excitement and optimism, but in reality, it’s one game of 162. It didn’t make sense to try to rush him. We’ll give him a chance to catch his breath but feel like he should be back pretty quickly.”

Hendriks joined Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford on the 15-day injured list. The Red Sox signed the right-hander last season, but he sat out the year while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The former Chicago White Sox star looked solid in spring training, and he clearly was pumped up to be back on the mound. Hendriks will continue to be patient as Boston waits for the right time for him to make his debut.

Cooper Criswell and Brennan Bernardino were the beneficiaries of Hendriks’ IL stint and likely will feature in Boston’s opening series against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.