In Fort Myers, Florida, veteran reliever Liam Hendriks took the mound at Hammond Stadium for his initial pitching session since last May, drawing attention amid his recovery journey. The effort marked a hopeful moment as Hendriks, a three-time All-Star, went through live batting practice while assessing his arm strength after significant medical setbacks.
Hendriks was candid about the quiet atmosphere during his session, noting the absence of background music in the empty ballpark.
“It was a … cemetery in there,”
he said. After some missteps, including a ball four slider to teammate Kody Clemens, Hendriks expressed frustration but ultimately left encouraged by his performance.
He commented,
“Location-wise was great, shape-wise on the breakers … (was) good. It’s just a matter of building arm strength and for me, that’s a lot of long toss.”
Hendriks has faced an extended absence from the mound, having pitched only 18 2/3 innings over the past three seasons due to cancer treatments, Tommy John surgery in 2023, and recent elbow surgery.
Evaluating Progress and Future Steps
Rather than chasing specific performance markers, Hendriks emphasized the importance of how his arm feels. He described feeling strong but not yet possessing the signature “cobra-style whip” in his fastball that characterized his peak form. He looks forward to facing familiar opponents like Byron Buxton or Trevor Larnach later in camp to gauge any differences in his delivery.
Signed to a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins and vying for a bullpen role, Hendriks remains uncertain whether his next outing will again be live batting practice or an in-game appearance.
“You can’t make the team in February. I’m trying to get to a point where mid-to-late March, I’m at ‘peak’ level or having that consistent improvement that you can see,”
Hendriks explained.
“But (Monday) was encouraging, and see where we go from here.”
Kendry Rojas Shines in Early Spring Appearance
Kendry Rojas, among the Twins’ most promising pitching prospects, has already experienced notable challenges since his July trade, including adapting to Triple-A competition and a new environment. He acknowledged a difficult adjustment period, stating through an interpreter,
“It was a little uncomfortable for me at first. The different talent level, the ball being different. It was a little uncomfortable for me at first.”
Despite a 6.59 ERA over eight Triple-A starts last season, Rojas entered spring camp feeling more settled. His first game of the season showcased his potential as he delivered two scoreless innings against a lineup featuring All-Stars Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Austin Riley, striking out three batters in the process.
Manager Derek Shelton praised Rojas, saying,
“You see him live, you see how the arm works, how fast the arm works.”
Shelton concluded simply, “Very impressive.” While Rojas is being groomed as a starter and likely to begin the season back at Triple-A, he remains focused on learning from veterans like Tony Oliva and establishing his place within the organization.
Other Notable Spring Training Highlights
Mick Abel, competing for a rotation spot, made a strong impression with three scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers, striking out five batters. Meanwhile, top prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez continued his powerful start to the spring by hitting home runs in consecutive days as the Twins improved to a 3-0 victory over Detroit.
Looking ahead, the Twins plan to divide their roster for split squad games on Tuesday, sending one group to face the Baltimore Orioles at home, while the other squad travels to take on the Tampa Bay Rays.
Significance and Outlook
Liam Hendriks’ initial pitching session after a prolonged recovery presents a cautiously optimistic sign for the Twins’ bullpen depth. His gradual return could bolster the team’s relief options if he regains his previous form. Meanwhile, the progression of emerging talents like Kendry Rojas and Mick Abel reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen the pitching staff at various levels.
With spring training still underway, Hendriks, Rojas, and other contenders will have further opportunities to refine their skills, impact roster decisions, and contribute to the Twins’ competitive aims this season.
