An arm injury is set to bring a premature end to inspirational Australian pitcher Liam Hendriks' frustrating first MLB season at Boston.
Hendriks was diagnosed with stage-four non-Hodgkin lymphoma in December, 2022.
The Australian remarkably returned to the mound for the Chicago White Sox in the 2023 season, made five relief appearances then underwent Tommy John surgery to repair an elbow injury.
Hendriks left Chicago to join the Red Sox during the off-season, signing a two-year deal worth $A15 million.
But Australia's highest profile baseballer for more than a decade has been restricted to a handful of games in the minors during his first season at Boston.
The club has all but confirmed the three-time All-Star, who has a sore forearm that the Red Sox insist isn't connected with the surgery, will be put on ice until the 2025 season.
Texas Rangers team doctor Keith Meister, who operated on Hendriks last year, will review scans before a final decision is made.
“He had the MRI. Nothing structural,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.
“He’s taking a look at it and he is going to let us know, but it seems like probably we’re going to shut him down.”
In addition to covering next season, Hendriks' contract with the Red Sox has as a mutual option for 2026.
Hendriks recently received his sixth nomination for the Roberto Clemente award, which recognises MLB players' character, community work and on-field behaviour.
"It's not that hard, just don't be a d***," Hendriks said, when asked about his community-minded spirit after being recognised for his work with fellow cancer survivors.
"It’s a huge honour, and I think this, as far as the awards go, this is the top one.
"This is above anything else because this doesn’t require talent. It just requires effort, and that's something that everyone can do and everyone has an opportunity to do.
"There's been a lot of families that we've been able to talk to. It's purely selfish from my point of view, because I get a lot from it as well."
