Red Sox right-hander becomes free agent after club declines mutual option

The last of the Red Sox s option decisions have officially been resolved According to a source the Red Sox have declined their million mutual option for Liam Hendriks officially making the veteran right-hander a free agent Hendriks will receive a million buyout MassLive s Chris Cotillo was first to record the decision Related Articles Source Red Sox shortstop opting in to final two years of deal Red Sox agree to new one-year deal with Jarren Duran Red Sox stars among finalists for Cy Young Award Rookie of the Year Overview Red Sox third baseman officially opts out will become free agent Barry Bonds Roger Clemens among Hall of Fame s Era Committee candidates Once one of the the majority dominant relief pitchers in baseball Hendriks time with the Red Sox was marked by injuries The three-time All-Star was already working his way back from a cancer identification and Tommy John surgery when he signed a two-year million deal with the Red Sox prior to the season Hendriks did not pitch that first season as he rehabbed from the elbow surgery but this past season he entered spring training as a candidate to earn the club s closer role That did not work out Hendriks was surpassed by free agent acquisition Aroldis Chapman and wound up starting the season on the injured list with right elbow inflammation He eventually made his gang debut on April but was ineffective posting a ERA over innings in appearances before he went back on the injured list with a right hip injury Hendriks did not pitch for the Red Sox again eventually emerging soreness in his right forearm that ultimately led to him undergoing ulnar nerve transposition surgery in his right elbow following the season It s unclear when or if Hendriks will pitch again but given his latest track record it was widely expected that the Red Sox would decline his mutual option Now if the veteran continues his career it will presumably either be someplace else or at a much lower salary