Hendriks overjoyed in White Sox return: 'It was definitely emotional'
Liam Hendriks was overwhelmed by the response he received from Chicago White Sox fans Monday in his first outing since returning from cancer treatment.
"It was definitely emotional," Hendriks said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Daryl Van Schouwen. "It was nerve-wracking going out. Humbling and sobering seeing people in my shirts and holding signs."
The 34-year-old was seen shedding tears before the White Sox took on the Los Angeles Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Good to see Liam Hendriks back on the field in a White Sox uniform ๐ฅน๐ pic.twitter.com/sqSBdAp6nF
โ FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 30, 2023
Hendriks entered the game in the eighth inning to a roaring ovation from the fans in attendance.
๐ฃ๏ธ LIAM! LIAM! pic.twitter.com/mpPNgDvcw8
โ Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 30, 2023
While his first outing back didn't go well - two earned runs on three hits in one inning - the right-hander took some positives out of his return during his team's 6-4 loss.
"Felt good, felt strong out there, just wasn't able to get the two-strike pitch," he said, according to Van Schouwen. "There were some positives from a baseball aspect."
Hendriks, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in January, announced he was in remission after completing five months of treatment in April.
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