Cubs sign All-Star closer Liam Hendriks to minor-league deal: Sources

Posted May 13, 2026 2:30 pm

By Patrick Mooney, Sahadev Sharma and Brittany Ghiroli

With their pitching depth disappearing, the Cubs signed Liam Hendriks to a minor-league contract, adding a three-time All-Star closer to the organization, league sources told The Athletic on Wednesday.

Attempting another comeback, Hendriks, 37, is expected to report to the club’s Arizona complex and focus on mechanical adjustments. He had fielded interest from multiple teams that were curious to see if he could rediscover what once made him one of the sport’s top relievers.

This year, Hendriks went to spring training with the Minnesota Twins, an organization desperate for bullpen help. The right-hander still did not make the team’s Opening Day roster, and he requested his release in March rather than report to Triple-A St. Paul.

Hendriks is a two-time winner of the Mariano Rivera Award, which recognizes the American League’s best reliever. His award-winning work stood out with both the Oakland A’s (2020) and the White Sox (2021), as part of a mid-to-late career renaissance.

During those years of bouncing around, the Cubs once claimed Hendriks off waivers as part of the roster churn after the 2013 season. Before Opening Day 2014, he would also get selected off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays.

After pitching in the playoffs with the Blue Jays, A’s and White Sox, Hendriks dealt with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of cancer, and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023.

Hendriks did not pitch in the majors in 2024, and he struggled with the Boston Red Sox last season, posting a 6.59 ERA in 14 appearances, making this the kind of buy-low move that the Cubs have frequently used to rebuild their bullpen.

The first-place Cubs have developed a reputation as a good destination for pitchers hoping to get another chance. Those factors include a stable coaching staff, Craig Counsell’s steadiness as a manager and the Gold Glove defenders positioned throughout the field. Perhaps most of all, with so many of their pitchers on the injured list, there should be opportunities.