Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks stunned the baseball world in early January when he announced he’d been diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Looking back, Hendriks now believes he may have pitched the entire 2022 MLB season with the undiagnosed cancer. Remarkably, he made his third All-Star team last year.
Hendriks underwent chemotherapy and announced he was cancer-free on April 20.
Wearing a T-shirt bearing the message “Struck Out Cancer,” Hendriks met the media Wednesday to talk about his situation. He said he first noticed lumps in his neck in June 2022, but a blood test for lymphoma came back negative
“I was diagnosed through not only the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, but also through the White Sox helping facilitate getting CAT scans and biopsies. … I want to thank the White Sox organization for doing everything they were able to do,” Hendriks said (via James Fegan of The Athletic).
Hendriks says he noticed lumps in his neck in June of last year, and that ultimately the growths in his hips were larger. He thinks it’s highly possible he pitched all of last season with lymphoma.
He made his third All-Star team.
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) May 3, 2023
Hendriks will start his minor league rehab assignment Friday with Chicago’s Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte. The White Sox and Hendriks are targeting a return to MLB action in late May or early June.
So incredible to see Liam Hendriks back on the field, cancer free & ready for baseball. We’ll hear from Hendriks shortly @GNSportsTV @whitesox @WGNTV pic.twitter.com/dQy3U7KFMc
— Kaitlin Sharkey (@KRoseSharkey) May 3, 2023
The baseball world cheered Hendriks’ good news Wednesday.
The t-shirt says it all. 💚 pic.twitter.com/9rqBQLJYck
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 3, 2023
One of the fiercest competitors in the game. Fired up to see him back out there where he belongs! 💪 #StruckOutCancer https://t.co/EYGBWWBAyg
— Jameson Taillon (@JTaillon50) May 3, 2023
Many White Sox players and coaches in Liam Hendriks’ press conference, along with representatives from the Twins. Some things transcend baseball competition.
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) May 3, 2023
Liam Hendriks is Superman. He might just save this team with the vibes alone. He’s absolutely one of my all-time, undisputed heroes. #WhiteSox https://t.co/Hwx7gplyu3
— Rob Colletti (@robcolletti) May 3, 2023
Chuck Norris has NOTHING on Liam Hendriks! 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/BoB0oOJ1QE
— Charlie Ricker (@CharlieRicker24) May 3, 2023
[James Fegan, The Athletic; Photo Credit: Chicago White Sox]
