Liam Hendriks' Major League Baseball comeback might have to wait until next year, with the Australian relief pitcher suffering a setback.
While Hendriks continues to be lauded off the field, he felt tightness in his elbow after pitching in a minor league game last week and that's put his return on hold.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Thursday (AEST) that Hendriks' long-awaited debut for the team was "still in a holding pattern".
"As you know, we’re running out of time, and we have to make a decision on what we’re going to do," he said.
Cora added the Red Sox are "very close" to making that call.
More than a year ago, elbow surgery thwarted the Australian's inspiring return from cancer.
In the off-season he moved from the Chicago White Sox to the Red Sox on a two-year deal worth $A15 million.
The expectation was that he would return for his 14th major league season this month and has made six appearances in games with Boston's minor league affiliates.
But the feeling now is that the Red Sox will put his comeback on hold until 2025.
It comes as Hendriks received his sixth nomination this week for the Roberto Clemente award.
It's a prestigious award in the major leagues that recognises players for their character and community work, as well as on-field behaviour.
Hendriks was named the American League comeback player of the year last year after he returned to play from a bout of stage-four non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The nomination recognises Hendriks' work with fellow cancer survivors.
Asked about where his community-minded spirit comes from, the typically candid Australian replied: "it's not that hard, just don't be a d***".
The 35-year-old right-hander has been Australian baseball's highest-profile international player for more than a decade.
He only managed five games in his comeback last year before the three-time All Star needed Tommy John surgery on his elbow.
