MLB-NEWS: The standout pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians has officially signed a contract with the Boston Reds. According to ESPN, the elite pitcher got a three-year, $163.6 million contract following…..

Red Sox’ potential next closer to throw first bullpen since Tommy John

BOSTON — Red Sox veteran right-hander Liam Hendriks will throw his first bullpen since undergoing Tommy John surgery “towards the end of the week,” manager Alex Cora said Tuesday.

The Red Sox signed the 35-year-old Feb. 20 for two years and $10 million in guaranteed money with an additional $10 million available in performance bonuses.

He has said he hopes to return after the trade deadline. But in the minds of the Red Sox, they’d be happy if Hendriks contributes at all this season; they signed him with the 2025 season in mind.

It’s likely Hendriks will be the Red Sox’ next closer because of Boston’s reported desire to move on from Kenley Jansen. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported May 26 that the Red Sox “plan to trade” Kenley Jansen by the deadline and “have no interest in bringing him back” in 2025.

That said, the Red Sox sit seven-games over .500 at 43-36. If the season ended today, they would make the postseason as the third and final AL Wild Card. And so perhaps the Red Sox will keep Jansen if they continue to play well.

Hendriks has 116 career saves, including a league-leading 38 in 2021. He also had 37 saves in 2022 before missing most of 2023 while being treated for Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He returned to appear in five games for the White Sox last year before undergoing Tommy John surgery Aug. 2.

From 2019-22, Hendriks won two AL Rivera Reliever awards and earned three All-Star selections. He also received AL Cy Young votes in both 2020 and ‘21.