Brutal Injury News For Cancer Survivor Liam Hendriks

Another brutal blow for Chicago White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks. His courageous comeback from fighting cancer was finally in the rearview mirror and he was ready to make a full return to the mound this summer. But with his arm strength perhaps not all the way back, he tragically now faces another year out of the game after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Liam Hendriks has undergone Tommy John surgery and will be sidelined until 2025, per @BNightengale pic.twitter.com/t9CPT1MKsy
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) August 2, 2023

With his cancer treatments behind him, and rehab efforts completed, Hendriks had pitched five innings for the ChiSox after coming back at the end of May before elbow inflammation shut him down.

He'll be out for the standard 12-14 months that a TJ recovery requires, which would leave him out of action until the 2025 season. Hendriks will be 36 at that point.

Here's the inspiring moment when this class act made his first appearance this season after coming back from his battle with cancer.

If Liam Hendriks has pitched his last game with the White Sox, at least he was able to experience this. He deserved it. Absolute class act.pic.twitter.com/V8gfSZ9Njk
— Mike (@ChiSoxFanMike) August 2, 2023

The Australian pitcher had a wonderful career surge after the age of 30, at which time he began closing duties with the Oakland A's. He was an All-Star that year in 2019, and had two more selections to the MidSummer Classic while with the Pale Hose. He's recorded 116 career saves, after posting 75 in a two-run with the Sox in 2021-22.

One of the most upstanding and beloved teammates in MLB, he will be missed over the next year, but we get the feeling that if he was able to conquer cancer, battling back from a measly elbow surgery should be nothing for this true fighter.

Photo: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports