FAN FALLOUT: Red Sox’s 3-Time All-Star Justifiably ‘Frustrated’ With Role In Boston Bullpen. As 14yrs Veteran Reliever Addresses ‘Horrible And Cruel’ Threats From Fans After Loss To Mets.

FAN FALLOUT: Red Sox’s 3-Time All-Star Liam Hendriks Opens Up About Bullpen Role Frustration and Disturbing Fan Reactions Following Loss to Mets

In a turbulent moment for both team and player, Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks has found himself at the center of controversy following a tough loss to the New York Mets, and the aftermath has been as emotionally taxing as it has been professionally frustrating. The three-time All-Star, who joined the Red Sox bullpen this season with high expectations, openly admitted his dissatisfaction with his current role in Boston’s late-inning pitching rotation. But what started as a standard postgame interview quickly evolved into a deeper, more unsettling issue.

Hendriks, 35, voiced that he feels “underutilized” and “mismatched” in his bullpen assignments. Once one of baseball’s most dominant closers, Hendriks has instead been used in middle relief situations, a decision by the coaching staff that he believes fails to match both his skillset and veteran experience. “I came here to contribute meaningfully in high-leverage moments,” Hendriks said. “Instead, I feel like I’m being asked to do cleanup work, and it’s not what I signed up for.”

But perhaps more disturbing than the bullpen decisions has been the online harassment and personal attacks that followed the team’s recent meltdown against the Mets. After allowing key runs in the late innings of the game, Hendriks became a target on social media, receiving what he described as “horrible and cruel threats” that went beyond baseball criticism. “It’s one thing to be held accountable for performance—that comes with the job,” Hendriks said. “But when people start wishing harm on you and your family, that’s a line no one should cross.”

The Red Sox organization issued a brief statement in support of Hendriks, condemning all forms of harassment and reaffirming their commitment to player safety and mental health. Teammates, including Rafael Devers and Chris Sale, reportedly reached out to Hendriks personally to offer support.

As Boston continues to battle through a rollercoaster season, the situation with Hendriks underscores the pressure and volatility that professional athletes face—both on the field and in the digital age. For Hendriks, the path forward may involve redefining his role, but it also calls for greater accountability from fans and a renewed sense of unity within the clubhouse.