White Sox News: Liam Hendriks wins AL Comeback Player of the Year

In a story that was bigger than baseball during the 2023 season, Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks was named the AL Comeback Player of the Year.

It was last December when Hendriks was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Hendriks persevered through the treatment and by the time that Opening Day of the 2023 season came, it was clear that the White Sox closer would make his return in-season for the team.

Hendriks spent the first two months of the season building back up his arm strength and it paved the way for his return to the White Sox in May.

Hendriks made five appearances for the White Sox this season before landing the IL with an elbow injury. In August, it was announced that Hendriks underwent Tommy John Surgery and the expectation is that he will miss if not all of the 2024 season.

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks won the American League Comeback Player of the Year award in a story that is larger than baseball.

Regardless of what the future holds for Hendriks, the fact that he was able to return to a Major League mound less than a year after being diagnosed with cancer speaks to the determination and will that the White Sox closer has.

That was on display last summer at ESPN’s ESPY Awards when Hendriks won the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.

The White Sox hold a $15 million club option for Hendriks in 2024. With the World Series ending on Wednesday, the team has until Monday to decide on Hendriks’ option.