Liam Hendriks comment on clubhouse leaker could lead to White Sox turnaround

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks hinted that the report of issues in the locker room may been leaked by a former teammate.

The Chicago White Sox’s 2022 season has not gone the way many had envisioned. From countless injuries to manager Tony La Russa’s at-times confusing decision-making, the team was sitting in third place in the AL Central earlier this week. In the midst of all of this, there was a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that said there were issues in the locker room.

White Sox closer Liam Hendriks appeared on ESPN 1000’s “Waddle and Silvy” show and shut down the report, calling it “a complete fabrication.” Hendriks wondered if it was possible that a player that was on the team earlier in the year but is currently not was the one responsible for leaking the information in the report.

Liam Hendriks alludes to clubhouse leaker in White Sox report

“I’d love to know what his source is,” asked Hendriks. “I want to know if it’s a former player who is currently not with us that’s still in the league from this year. So it would be interesting to see where that comes from.”

Hendriks was asked by the host if the leaker could be “a pitcher with a beard.” The relief pitcher responded by saying “I think I’ve said enough already.”

Some on social media filled in the blanks themselves, believing it was Dallas Keuchel who was being referenced, who was designated for assignment back in late May and is currently a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Since Hendriks shut down the report of there being “unrest, cliques, and lack of player leadership” in the locker room, the White Sox have won the first two games of their four-game series against the rival Minnesota Twins. Prior to those two wins, they were on a two-game winning streak. Now, entering July 16, Chicago is 45-45 and three games behind Minnesota for first place in the division.

Could this be a turning point in Chicago’s season, which sees them make a climb back towards the top of the AL Central and clinch a postseason berth for the third year in a row?