TAMPA -- The timeline for the return of three key Red Sox pitchers is coming into focus.
Righty reliever Liam Hendriks is at last on the verge of pitching in a regular-season game for the first time since he joined the Red Sox on Feb. 20, 2024. The righty reliever will make the third appearance of his Minor League rehab assignment for Double-A Portland in Hartford, Conn., on Wednesday night and then likely be activated Friday when Boston opens its homestand against the White Sox.
Righty starter Brayan Bello will start that game in Hartford on Wednesday in what is expected to be the fourth and final appearance of his rehab assignment, which means he could be back in Boston¡¯s rotation as early as April 21, which is the annual Patriots¡¯ Day contest and also the finale of a four-game series against the White Sox.
Then there is Lucas Giolito, who has been a member of the Red Sox two months longer than Hendriks and has also never pitched in a game for the club. Giolito is pitching Tuesday night¡¯s game in Hartford in his third rehab start.
Expect Giolito to make another start on Sunday for Portland or Triple-A Worcester. After that, he will likely be cleared for a return and debut when the Red Sox play a three-game series in Cleveland from April 25-27.
Each pitcher has had different obstacles in the road back.
Bello arrived to Spring Training with shoulder inflammation, delaying his typical buildup by several weeks. After starting Opening Day last year, Bello had an inconsistent first half and a strong second half, which he was hoping to build on before the nagging shoulder injury. He hopes to pick up where he left off when he returns next week.
When the Red Sox signed Giolito on Jan. 3, 2024, the expectation was he would be a key innings-eater for a young Boston rotation last year. Instead, he injured the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in just his second Spring Training start and underwent an internal bracing procedure that forced him to miss the season.
He was on track to start this season on the active roster, only to strain his left hamstring on his first start of Spring Training. Having a pitcher of Giolito¡¯s caliber toward the bottom of the rotation will be key for a club that added Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler in the offseason.
Then there is Hendriks, who has been battling to be a regular presence on the mound since he battled non-Hodgkin¡¯s lymphoma in the winter of 2022-23.
Then with the White Sox, Hendriks made a triumphant return from his illness but made just five outings from May 29-June 9, 2023 before he injured the elbow and had Tommy John surgery.
Hendriks had hoped to pitch for the Red Sox down the stretch last season but couldn¡¯t get over the hump.
He was on schedule for a full season in ¡®25, but went on the injured list on Opening Day with right elbow inflammation.
Hendriks will join Aroldis Chapman, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock as the relievers manager Alex Cora will count on the most in the late innings.
Prior to his health setbacks, Hendriks was a top closer, saving 38 games in 2021 and 37 more in ¡®22.