White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks gets standing ovation in return to mound after cancer battle

Chicago White Sox reliever Liam Hendriks made his return to the mound Monday — less than five months after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Hendricks received a standing ovation from the crowd at Guaranteed Rate Field as he emerged from the bullpen. He made his return official by firing a 96 mph fastball for a strike to Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss.

HERE HE COMES 💚

Less than 5 months after being diagnosed with cancer, Liam Hendriks is back on the mound for the White Sox 🙌 pic.twitter.com/QEwPDvETu1

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 30, 2023

Hendriks pitched the top half of the eighth inning, allowing three hits, two runs and one walk.

Hendriks, 34, announced his Non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis on Jan. 8. He missed Spring Training, though he said he was “confident” he would return to the mound in the future. Chicago declined to place him on the 60-day injured list — an encouraging sign that a return in 2023 was possible.

“What he’s done and how he’s done it has been remarkable,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said, via the Houston Chronicle. “It’s an inspiration to everybody on this club, It’s an inspiration to everybody who follows the game and knows of Liam.”

Hendriks has spent 12 years in the big leagues playing for five organizations. Hendriks emerged as one of the game’s best closers in 2019 with the Oakland Athletics. He posted a dazzling 1.80 ERA and recorded 25 saves during his time in Oakland. Hendriks earned his first All-Star selection that season and followed it up with another impressive campaign during the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

He inked a three-year, $54 million deal with the White Sox the following offseason. In two seasons in Chicago, Hendriks has posted a 2.66 ERA with 75 saves in 127 games. He has made back-to-back appearances in the MLB All-Star Game. His 75 saves are second only to Kenley Jansen of the Boston Red Sox for most over that time span.

Liam Hendriks details cancer diagnosis

Hendriks went public with his diagnosis this past January. As it turns out, he knew something was wrong long before.

In June 2022, he noticed some lumps. He pointed to a scar under his chin and where lumps were on the back and side of his neck and alerted the training staff. He kept it quiet for another month, when he underwent some tests. A few rounds of immunotherapy and chemotherapy later, and Hendriks was in remission. He announced that news via Instagram last month.

“I was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkins lymphoma and started treatment on Jan. 9 and 10. That was our first session,” Hendriks said. “We went through immunotherapy and chemotherapy. I was able to get through four rounds. It was diagnosed not only through the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, but also through the White Sox helping facilitate getting CT scans and biopsies and all those other stuff.

“So I just want to really thank the White Sox organization for all they were able to do. I don’t think it would’ve been as quick of a process if I wasn’t able to lean on those guys. … Everything the White Sox did for me was huge and has definitely contributed to being back as soon as I have been and moving forward this path forward.”