Boston Red Sox right-hander Liam Hendriks will open the season on the injured list because of elbow inflammation, delaying his return after recent health issues that included cancer treatment and Tommy John surgery.
Hendriks, 36, made seven appearances in spring training for the Red Sox but was placed on the IL among moves to finalize the Opening Day roster in advance of Thursday’s road game against the Texas Rangers.
In 2023, Hendriks made a triumphant return to the Chicago White Sox from a bout with non-Hodgkin lymphoma but after five outings, he was diagnosed with an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2024 season.
The Australia native signed a two-year, $10-million deal with the Red Sox in February 2024, despite the injury.
A three-time All-Star, Hendriks is 33-34 with a 3.82 ERA in 476 appearances (44 starts) for five franchises since 2011.
In other Red Sox moves to finalize their 26-man roster, left-handers Chris Murphy and Zach Penrod both were placed on the 60-day IL with elbow injuries, while outfielder Masataka Yoshida was sent to the 10-day IL after shoulder surgery in the offseason.
Right-handers Lucas Giolito (hamstring), Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Kutter Crawford (knee) all were placed on the 15-day IL. Right-handed reliever Cooper Criswell, 28, was named to Boston’s Opening Day roster.
