Minnesota Twins Release Liam Hendriks Following Seven Spring Training Outings

Right-hander Liam Hendriks was released by the Minnesota Twins on Friday after surrendering three runs across seven innings of Grapefruit League play.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Minnesota Twins officially released right-handed pitcher Liam Hendriks from his minor league contract on Friday morning. During his seven appearances at the Lee Health Sports Complex, the 37-year-old veteran logged seven innings of work, surrendering three earned runs on nine hits. This statistical output resulted in a 3.86 ERA for the spring session. Hendriks, who joined the organization on Feb. 12 as a non-roster invitee, also issued five walks while striking out four batters during his brief tenure in Florida. Had the reliever secured a spot on the 40-man roster, he would have earned a base salary of $2.25 million for the upcoming campaign.

Liam Hendriks released by the club signifies the end of a month-long evaluation period where the righty struggled with a 2.00 WHIP. His final outing in a Twins uniform saw him battle command issues, contributing to the 14 total baserunners allowed over his seven frames of Grapefruit League action. The decision to cut ties comes as Minnesota narrows its bullpen options ahead of the regular season opener. The Australian-born pitcher now enters the free-agent market with 14 years of Major League experience and 116 career saves on his resume.

Between 2019 and 2022, Hendriks established himself as one of the most dominant closers in professional baseball, securing 114 saves during that four-year window. His most prolific season occurred in 2021 with the Chicago White Sox, where he led the American League by converting 38 save opportunities. During that specific All-Star campaign, he maintained a 2.54 ERA and struck out 113 batters in 71 innings. However, his career path faced a significant hurdle following the 2022 season when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a battle he famously won to return to the mound in May 2023.

Physical durability has been a primary concern for the right-hander over the last 24 months. In 2023, his season was limited to just five games due to right elbow inflammation, an injury that eventually required Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. After a lengthy rehabilitation process, he signed with the Boston Red Sox for the 2025 season but struggled to find his previous form. In 14 appearances for Boston, he posted a 6.59 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP before his year was prematurely halted by right hip inflammation.

The Twins' coaching staff monitored Hendriks closely throughout March to see if his velocity and movement had returned to pre-surgery levels. While he managed to limit opponents to a .281 batting average during his seven spring innings, the high walk rate proved too risky for a high-leverage relief role. Minnesota's front office opted to prioritize younger arms with minor league options remaining. This roster move allows the veteran to seek a contract with another organization before the conclusion of spring training camps across the league.

Throughout his career, which includes stints with the Athletics, Blue Jays, and Royals, Hendriks has maintained a 3.82 career ERA over 661.1 innings. His 741 career strikeouts highlight a history of swing-and-miss capability that teams often covet in late-inning situations. Despite the release, the righty remains a three-time All-Star selection, having earned those honors in 2019, 2021, and 2022. He will now look to add to his 33 career wins as he searches for a new bullpen home for the 2026 season.