The Chicago Cubs released right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks on Thursday, according to the former Twins pitcher's MLB.com transactions log. Minnesota should seriously consider reuniting with the right-hander... again.
Hendriks began his MLB career with the Twins as a starting pitcher, posting a 6.06 ERA over 156 innings for the club from 2011-13 before being let go by Minnesota. Two seasons later, Hendriks became a lockdown reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays, who traded Hendriks to the Oakland Athletics in the 2015-16 offseason. Hendriks played for Oakland for five seasons, then with the Chicago White Sox for three, and was one of the best closers in baseball during much of that time.
Hendriks made three All-Star teams and won the AL Reliever of the Year award twice during his time with Oakland and Chicago. He has made just over $62 million in his career.
Lymphoma (he has since fully recovered), Tommy John surgery and other injuries kept Hendriks sidelined for much of the last three years. He had to settle for a minor-league deal this past offseason, signing with the Minnesota Twins.
Hendriks didn't make the Twins' Opening Day roster, so he exercised his opt-out clause. The veteran right-hander remained unsigned until he agreed to a minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs on May 16.
Hendriks didn't pitch for the Cubs organization until June 26, throwing a scoreless inning in rookie ball. He made four appearances for Triple-A Iowa this month, allowing no earned runs, one hit and one walk with five strikeouts.
Liam Hendriks could help Twins' struggling bullpen
The Twins could use bullpen help. Entering Friday, Minnesota's relievers ranked 29th in ERA (5.19), 24th in strikeout rate (20.3%), 27th in walk rate (11.5%), and 26th in opponent batting average (.255). The team's brass has already made it clear it understands the bullpen needs to improve by acquiring Woo-Suk Go from the Detroit Tigers and Tommy Nance from the Toronto Blue Jays. Adding Hendriks to the mix could be another way for Minnesota to bolster its struggling bullpen.
Keep in mind, just because Hendriks had four strong Triple-A outings doesn't mean they will translate to MLB success. The right-hander clearly isn't the reliever he was earlier in his career. However, if Minnesota can bring him in on a league-minimum contract, the team may as well give him a big-league opportunity. Kody Funderburk, Travis Adams and Kendry Rojas all have options, so while the team would need to clear 40-man space if it signed Hendriks, it shouldn't have any issues creating an open 26-man spot.
It's worth noting that the Twins have several relievers with big-league experience rehabbing right now (Cole Sands, Julian Merryweather and Garret Acton). Still, the team should consider giving Hendriks an opportunity.
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