Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and reliever Liam Hendriks got their wires crossed this week, it seems.
On Sunday, Cora said he wasn’t sure if Hendriks would pitch again this season, and Hendriks seemed to take issue with it on Monday. The three-time All-Star, who struggled earlier this season and has been out since late May with right hip inflammation, said he was “surprised” by Cora’s “slip of the tongue,” per MassLive.
It was an awkward moment, as Hendriks seemed frustrated with the team and insisted that he was fully confident he would pitch again this season (barring more setbacks).
The next day, Cora appeared to walk back his initial comments, as he told reporters Tuesday that it “will be great” if Hendriks is able to pitch again this season. He also confirmed that he cleared the air with the veteran right-hander.
“I got ahead of myself and we cleared it up and I hope he pitches this year,” Cora said, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.
Hendriks’ tenure in Boston hasn’t gone the way anyone would have hoped, but as much as the steely competitor wants to get back to the mound, Boston has to be skeptical behind the scenes that he’ll be able to contribute much.
Hendriks has a 6.59 ERA in 14 outings this season, after missing all of last year due to Tommy John surgery. He won American League Reliever of the Year in 2019 and 2021, but a lot has transpired since.
It would be a heck of a story if Hendriks could get healthy and become a contributor for this bullpen down the stretch. But as the Red Sox are pushing toward the playoffs, it’s hard to say he’s earned the opportunity to make a postseason roster at this point.
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