Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks criticized social media users for making threats against him and his wife after Boston’s 5-1 loss to the Mets on Wednesday night.
In a statement on his Instagram Story Thursday, Hendriks — who came in to relieve Garrett Crochet in the sixth inning and allowed three hits in the seventh — addressed those directing hateful comments at his family, saying they “need help” and should “reevaluate [their] life’s purpose.”
“Threats against my life and my wife’s life are horrible and cruel. You need help,” the 36-year-old Hendriks began, referencing his wife, Kristi.
“Leaving comments telling me to commit suicide and how you wish I died from cancer is disgusting and vile.
“Maybe you should take a step back and reevaluate your life’s purpose before hiding behind a screen attacking players and their families.”
The three-time MLB All-Star has been to hell and back in his return to the mound.
Hendriks announced in January 2023 that he had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and had begun treatment, but he was declared cancer-free by April.
He then underwent Tommy John Surgery in August 2023 while a member of the Chicago Red Sox.
Hendriks made his debut for Boston on April 20, 2025 â his first major league game since June 2023.
The 2023 AL Comeback Player of the Year made it clear to trolls on Thursday there’s no place for this reprehensible behavior.
“I think I speak for all players who have had to deal with this in their career when I say: Enough is enough,” he concluded.
Hendriks, owner of a 5.56 ERA through 11 games, said Wednesday more reps will yield better results if only given an opportunity.
“I feel like I havenât been pitching enough and if you wanted me to be me, I got to pitch,” he said, according to NESN. âI will rust before I wear out. At the end of the day, Iâve got to reward them by throwing me by getting guys out. And if Iâm not doing that then I donât deserve to pitch.â
Hendriks has pitched across six MLB teams in his career, including the Twins, Blue Jays, Royals and A’s.
He and Kristi have been married since 2013.
