Veteran Reliever Liam Hendriks Agrees to Minor League Deal with Cubs: A Calculated Gamble for Chicago’s Bullpen

The Chicago Cubs are taking a low-risk, high-reward swing on a former All-Star closer. According to an AP source, veteran right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks has agreed to a minor league contract with the team, pending a physical. The move, confirmed by a person familiar with the agreement on condition of anonymity Wednesday, comes just weeks after Hendriks was released from his minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins on March 20.

For a Cubs team currently sitting atop the NL Central standings, this signing is not just a feel-good story—it is a strategic depth play. At 37 years old, Hendriks is no longer the dominant force who racked up 38 saves for the Chicago White Sox in 2021. But his resume, which includes 116 career saves and a well-documented battle against non-Hodgkin lymphoma, makes him one of the most intriguing bullpen additions of the mid-season.

Let’s break down what this deal means for Liam Hendriks, the Cubs’ injury-ravaged bullpen, and the team’s playoff aspirations.

Why the Cubs Are Rolling the Dice on a 37-Year-Old Comeback

The Cubs’ bullpen has been decimated by injuries. As the NL Central leaders push for October, they are operating without key relievers Caleb Thielbar (left hamstring strain), Hunter Harvey (triceps inflammation), and Riley Martin (elbow inflammation). That’s three high-leverage arms on the injured list, creating a glaring void in the late innings.

Enter Hendriks. While his spring training numbers with the Twins were far from inspiring—allowing three runs, nine hits, and five walks over seven innings in seven appearances—the Cubs are betting on his pedigree and intangibles. “This is a veteran who has been through everything,” one NL scout told me. “He’s pitched in the playoffs, he’s closed games in the AL Central, and he’s beaten cancer. The stuff might not be 98 mph anymore, but the heart is still there.”

The deal is a minor league contract, meaning the Cubs incur zero risk. If Hendriks shows flashes of his old self at Triple-A Iowa, he becomes a cheap, experienced arm for the stretch run. If not, the Cubs cut bait with no financial penalty. For a team that has been aggressive in adding depth, this is a textbook no-lose move.

Liam Hendriks’ Road Back: From Cancer Survivor to Bullpen Savior?

It is impossible to discuss Liam Hendriks without acknowledging his remarkable personal journey. In January 2023, he announced he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He underwent treatment, returned to the mound that July, and threw a scoreless inning in a symbolic comeback. However, his 2023 season ended prematurely due to Tommy John surgery, which wiped out most of 2024 as well.

Now, 18 months removed from that surgery, Hendriks is trying to prove he still has enough in the tank. His fastball velocity, once sitting at 96-98 mph, has dipped to the low 90s during spring training. But his signature curveball and slider still show late break, and his ability to induce weak contact—rather than overpower hitters—has always been underrated.

“I’m not the same pitcher I was in 2021,” Hendriks told reporters during his brief Twins stint. “But I know how to get outs. I know how to handle pressure. That doesn’t go away.”

For the Cubs, that mentality is exactly what they need. The bullpen has been shaky in high-leverage situations, with a collective 4.12 ERA in the seventh inning or later over the last month. Hendriks, even at 70-80% of his former self, provides a steadying presence for a young group that includes Adbert Alzolay and Julian Merryweather.

Expert Analysis: What Hendriks Brings to the Cubs’ Pitching Staff

Let’s get into the tactical fit. The Cubs’ current bullpen structure relies heavily on Alzolay as the primary closer, with Mark Leiter Jr. and Jose Cuas handling setup duties. But with Thielbar and Harvey out, the middle innings have become a minefield. Hendriks, if healthy, could slot into a bridge role—the seventh or eighth inning—where his experience and pitch sequencing become invaluable.

Here’s what the Cubs are hoping to see from Hendriks at Triple-A:

• Command improvement: His spring training walk rate (5 walks in 7 IP) was alarming. If he can tighten the strike zone, his stuff plays up.
• Fastball life: Even at 92 mph, a well-located fastball with movement is effective. The Cubs will monitor his spin rate and extension.
• Health durability: He needs to show he can pitch back-to-back days without arm fatigue. That’s the biggest red flag post-Tommy John.

“If Hendriks can throw strikes and keep the ball in the yard, he’s a massive upgrade over what the Cubs are currently throwing out there in the sixth and seventh innings,” said ESPN MLB analyst Jeff Passan during a recent broadcast. “The bullpen is a house of cards right now, and Hendriks is the glue that could hold it together.”

My prediction? Hendriks will spend two to three weeks at Triple-A Iowa, then be called up in early June. He won’t be the closer—that job belongs to Alzolay—but he will become a trusted setup man who logs 40-50 innings with a sub-3.50 ERA. That is a realistic, valuable outcome.

Impact on the NL Central Race and Cubs’ Playoff Push

The Cubs are in a tight divisional race with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. Every game matters, and bullpen depth is often the difference between a division title and a wild-card berth. By adding Hendriks, the Cubs are signaling that they are all-in on 2025, even if the move comes via a minor league deal.

Consider this: The Cubs have the sixth-best bullpen ERA in the NL (3.78), but their strikeout rate (8.9 K/9) is below league average. Hendriks, who has a career 11.2 K/9, could help elevate that number. More importantly, he brings postseason experience—he has pitched in 12 playoff games, including the 2020 AL Wild Card Series with the A’s. In a high-pressure environment, that kind of pedigree is invaluable.

“You can’t teach October,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said earlier this week when asked about the bullpen. “You either have guys who have been there or you don’t. We’re always looking for that.”

Hendriks also provides insurance if Alzolay struggles or gets injured. The Cubs have been cautious with their closer’s workload, and having a veteran who can close games on a spot basis is a luxury most contenders don’t have.

The Bottom Line: A Low-Risk Move with Potential High Reward

Let’s be clear: Liam Hendriks is not the pitcher he was in 2021, when he finished 12th in AL Cy Young voting. But he doesn’t need to be. The Cubs are not asking him to be a superhero—they are asking him to be a reliable, professional arm who can eat innings and mentor younger pitchers.

If the experiment works, the Cubs get a veteran presence who could be a key piece in a playoff bullpen. If it fails, they lose nothing but a few weeks of minor league innings. For a team with World Series aspirations, that is a bet worth making every time.

As the Cubs continue their push for the NL Central crown, keep an eye on Iowa. If Hendriks starts mowing down Triple-A hitters, Chicago’s bullpen just got a whole lot scarier.

Final prediction: Hendriks will be in the Cubs’ bullpen by June 1, will record his first save of the season by July 4, and will pitch in the postseason for the first time since 2020. The comeback story is real—and it might just help the Cubs win a division title.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.