BOSTON — Liam Hendriks’ fastball was up to 93-94 mph during the live batting practice he threw Wednesday here at Fenway Park, manager Alex Cora said.
It marked his third and final scheduled live batting practice before potentially heading out on a rehab assignment. He is making his way back from Tommy John surgery that he underwent last Aug 2.
“The slider was good actually against lefties,” Cora said. “Today he got hit around a little bit but it’s encouraging, man. It’s a good fastball. It’s a different fastball than what we have in the bullpen. I’m not saying he’s going to be a guy that will come here and be the savior of the bullpen but he will contribute. If this happens, he will contribute. We’ll take care of him like we always do with our guys coming from injuries. We still have to be patient but we are almost there.”
Cora said the Red Sox need to see how Hendriks feels Thursday before deciding whether he’ll pitch in a rehab game this weekend.
“Won’t be surprised if he goes on a rehab assignment over the weekend,” Cora said.
The 35-year-old righty won two AL Rivera Reliever awards and earned three All-Star selections while recording 114 saves from 2019-22.
But he has pitched only five innings since the start of 2023. He first battled and overcame Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in ‘23, then returned to appear in five games before tearing his ulnar collateral ligament.
The Red Sox signed him Feb. 20 for two years and $10 million in guaranteed money with an additional $10 million available in performance bonuses.
“He’s been pushing,” Cora said. “He’s working. He has the will to do it. … This is nothing for him. He’s been through a lot. You see him on the mound and it’s kind of like significant and ironic that his last live BP to get ready probably to go on the rehab assignment is when we’re having the telethon (for) the Jimmy Fund. Use that as inspiration and I think he’s going to contribute. He’s going to help us.”
Triston Casas not ready yet
Triston Casas will continue his rehab assignment in Triple-A Worcester. Asked if there’s any chance Casas will be activated Thursday in Baltimore, Cora said, “As of now, no.”
The first baseman has a .294/.400/.559/.959 line with one homer and six doubles in nine games (40 plate appearances) on his rehab assignment for the WooSox.
“If the player needs more, he needs more,” Cora said. “I’m not there to feel what he feels. Obviously there’s a few checkpoints that he has in mind. He’s been in touch with the medical staff and (chief baseball officer) Craig (Breslow). He feels like he needs more at-bats. He’ll get more at-bats. At one point, he’s going to be here. It’s just a matter of us being patient.”
Casas is on the 60-day IL with some fractured cartilage which connects his ribcage to his sternum. He hasn’t appeared in a game for the Red Sox since April 20.
Cam Booser placed on 15-day IL
The Red Sox made four roster moves Wednesday, including placing left-handed reliever Cam Booser on the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation.
Booser struggled in Tuesday’s game, allowing a hit and two walks without recording an out.
“After his outing yesterday he came in and he was talking to the trainers and he said that he felt it right away in the first at-bat,” Cora said. “He tried to grind through it. Obviously not good for him, not good for us. But I respect the fact that he tried. In those cases, sometimes when you try to push, it makes it worse for the individual. So just get some treatment. Hopefully, it’s something where he’ll be back sooner rather than later.”
Criswell feeling well
Righty Cooper Criswell is feeling well and could rejoin the Red Sox starting rotation when he’s eligible to return from the COVID-related IL on Friday in Baltimore.
“He felt good in the bullpen,” Cora said. “(Pitching coach Andrew Bailey) feels like he threw the ball well. Energy-wise, he feels good. Strength-wise, too. Hopefully, he joins us in Baltimore.”
