FORT MYERS, Fla. — Liam Hendriks allowing six earned runs on 11 hits over his first four innings in spring training would have been easy to dismiss a few years ago when he was one of the best closers in baseball.
But Hendriks appeared in only five major league games the last two seasons after being diagnosed with cancer, then having Tommy John surgery.
That made this particular spring training more important and it has so far been rough for the 36-year-old righthander.
Hendriks came out of the bullpen in the fifth inning Sunday with the Sox leading the Braves, 2-1. He got a quick out before Marcell Ozuna singled and Garrett Cooper hammered a 94-mile-per-hour fastball over everything in left-center field.
Chadwick Tromp followed with a double, but Hendriks was able to end the inning.
Hendriks declined comment after the game.
“I think it’s too early to be worried about that,” manager Alex Cora said after the Sox beat the Braves, 7-3. “As long as he’s healthy, we’re going to keep running him out there.
“He hasn’t competed at this level in a while and that’s something that I take into consideration.”
Hendriks’s fastball velocity has improved from 91-92 m.p.h. to 94-96 during camp.
“He’s not happy with it. He’s not happy with the results,” Cora said, “but from my end it’s trending in the right direction. We’ll see how it plays out.”
Aroldis Chapman has not been much better, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks over 3⅔ innings.
The team’s other potential closer, Justin Slaten, skipped Sunday’s workout after catching the illness that’s been going through the team. He has pitched three scoreless innings.
Thompson stays hot
Trayce Thompson homered for the third day in a row, a solo shot off Atlanta righthander Bryce Elder in the fifth inning. It was not much of a surprise at this point.
Thompson is 9 for 23 (.391) in 11 games with two doubles, six home runs, 12 RBIs, and six walks. The outfielder has the most home runs and highest OPS (1.794) among players in spring training.
“We like the athlete. We’ve seen stretches like this throughout the years when he gets hot,” Cora said. “We’re looking for consistency and not swing and miss in the strike zone. It feels that way.”
Wilyer Abreu has yet to play a game as he recovers from a gastrointestinal issue, and Masataka Yoshida has been limited to designated hitter as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Thompson could be playing himself on the roster.
The 33-year-old has seven seasons of major league experience with five teams. He’s shown power but has not hit for average. Thompson also is a solid defensive player.
“I’m glad that he’s here. We’ll see what happens in the future,” Cora said.
This time for sure?
Rafael Devers is expected to play in his first game this week, either Tuesday or Wednesday, according to Cora. He has been taking live at-bats off teammates almost daily … Triston Casas recovered from the Fort Myers Flu and worked out. He hopes to play Tuesday when Grapefruit League play resumes against the Phillies … The Sox plan to get Romy Gonzalez, Nick Sogard, and Abraham Toro at first base as much as possible as they seek a backup for Casas … A large group of teenage patients from The Jimmy Fund Clinic attended the game and visited with Sox players and coaches outside the clubhouse beforehand. Cora, Roman Anthony, Alex Bregman, Jarren Duran, Jason Varitek, and Garrett Whitlock were among those who spent extra time. “It’s an important day,” Cora said. “It’s refreshing, how happy they are to see us. It gives you a purpose.” … The Sox have their only scheduled day off of spring training Monday. Alas, rain is in the forecast.
Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at peteabeglobe.bsky.social.