Why Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks bashed 'disgusting' social media comments, death threats

Following the Red Sox's Wednesday loss to the Mets, veteran pitcher Liam Hendriks shared via social media that he was being targeted with death threats. 

Hendriks, who earned the loss in Wednesday's game, responded to alleged fans who were sending him "horrible and cruel" messages after struggling against New York.

The three-time All-Star and 14-year MLB veteran hasn't had a strong 2025 season for Boston so far, even acknowledging his need for improvement. But on Thursday, he drew a line with people criticizing and threatening him and his family, even mentioning his previous cancer diagnosis in 2023.

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Here's more on the social media comments Hendriks responded to on Thursday. 

Liam Hendriks death threats

Hendriks came on in relief of starter Garrett Crochet in the sixth inning of a 1-1 game between the Mets and Red Sox on Wednesday. He wound up giving up three hits in the top of the seventh, and all three of those runners scored, charged to Hendriks in what became a 5-1 loss for Boston.

On Thursday morning, Hendriks then revealed that he was being sent negative comments on social media that he described as "horrible and cruel" while also threatening his and his wife's lives.

"Just as an FYI: Threats against my life and my wife's life are horrible and cruel. You need help," Hendriks posted to his Instagram story. "Leaving comments to tell me to commit suicide and how you wish I died of cancer is disgusting and vile. Maybe you should take a step back and reevaluate your life's purpose before hiding behind a screen attacking players and their families."

Hendriks added that he thinks he speaks for "all players who have had to deal with this in their careers" by saying "enough is enough."

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The MLB veteran has been married to his wife, Kristi, since 2013. He's carved out a long career as both a starter and reliever, winning the AL Reliever of the Year award in both 2020 and 2021, then winning the AL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023.

He signed with the Red Sox in February 2024 while still recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he didn't make his team debut until the 2025 season. Boston activated him off its injured list in April, but he has struggled since then.

After Wednesday's game, the 36-year-old said he knew he had to be better, per CBS News, but also questioned his role in the Red Sox's bullpen.

"No rhyme or reason. I have no idea," Hendriks said, per CBS News. "It's actually a source of contention that I've had with [the team] and I've had multiple conversations about. ... The more I pitch, the better I get. If the theory is you want the best me, throw me."

Liam Hendriks cancer

Hendriks announced he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer, in January 2023. By April 2023, he announced that he had completed chemotherapy and soon after, shared that he was cancer-free. The reliever later earned the AL Comeback Player of the Year award after returning to the field, although he made limited appearances before needing Tommy John surgery.

In his Instagram story post on Thursday, Hendriks said fans were referencing his cancer diagnosis while making death threats.

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Liam Hendriks stats

Here's a look at Hendricks' 2025 stats, in his first injury-free season with the Red Sox: