Cubs Claim Righthander Liam Hendriks off Waivers from Minnesota

CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs today claimed right-handed pitcher Liam Hendriks off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. 

Hendriks, 24, is 2-13 with a complete game and a 6.06 ERA (105 ER/156.0 IP) in 30 big league appearances (28 starts) with the Twins covering parts of the last three seasons (2011-13). He originally signed with the Twins as a non-drafted free agent February 25, 2007.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Hendriks split the 2013 campaign between the Twins and Triple-A Rochester, posting a 1-3 record with a 6.85 ERA (36 ER/47.1 IP) and 34 strikeouts in 10 big league games (eight starts). Hendriks made his first big league relief appearance September 21 at Oakland, throwing 102 pitches, the fifth-most pitches in a relief appearance in Twins history. He made a second relief appearance September 27 vs. Cleveland, striking out eight batters, the most strikeouts for a Twins pitcher in 2013, and tied for the third most in a relief appearance in Twins history.

The Perth, Australia native made the Twins Opening Day roster for the first time in 2012, going 1-8 with a complete game and a 5.59 ERA (53 ER/85.1 IP) in 16 big league starts. He earned his first Major League victory September 19 at Cleveland, becoming one of only 16 Australian-born pitchers to win a Major League game. He made his Major League debut with Minnesota in 2011, becoming the 28th Australian-born player and 20th pitcher to ever play in the Major Leagues. 

In six minor league seasons, Hendriks boasts a 42-28 record, five complete games, a 2.99 ERA (193 ER/580.1 IP) and 487 strikeouts in 100 games (98 starts), collecting 2011 Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year honors. Hendriks was selected to the World Team for the 2010 and 2011 Futures All-Star Games, pitching in the 2011 contest. Hendriks also pitched in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for Team Australia, making two relief appearances.