Alex Cora Makes Confident Claim About Forgotten Red Sox Veteran

The Red Sox bolstered their relief pitching before the MLB trade deadline via deals for Lucas Sims and Luis García.

But even though the league's trading window is now closed, another reinforcement is in line to join the bullpen before the regular season concludes.

Alex Cora explained how he felt "really good" about his team following five pre-deadline moves, and one of the sources of the manager's optimism was Boston's improving health situation. A number of key players are working their way back from injuries, including a veteran who's yet to make his 2024 debut.

Liam Hendriks, who signed with the Red Sox in late February, is entering the final stages of rehab from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last August. While the three-time All-Star doesn't yet have a rehab assignment scheduled, Cora on Tuesday insisted Hendriks "will pitch this year," per The Boston Globe.

Having Hendriks available for the tail end of a playoff push would be a huge boost for the Red Sox, who recently saw the injury bug bite Justin Slaten and Chris Martin. The 2021 American League saves leader has a bevy of experience in tight late-game situations, which should bode well for a club that could be bound for dogfight after dogfight the rest of the way.

Expectations for Hendriks should be tempered. After all, he hasn't pitched in an MLB game since early June of last year. But the 35-year-old is a renowned fighter, and at a minimum, the Red Sox know Hendriks will give them everything he has whenever he joins the club.