Liam Hendriks has worked tirelessly all year towards being able to pitch in 2024, but a recent setback slowed his progress and threw his prospects for a return into doubt.

Now the season is almost over, and time is almost up.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Friday that the right-hander still hasn’t started playing catch since receiving a cortisone shot on Monday, and they are nearing a point where they’ll have to start looking ahead to 2025.

“Basically where we’re at right now we’ll probably shut him down,” Cora said. “We’ve got nine games in the regular season so it’s going to be hard to get him going again.”

Cora stopped short of declaring Hendriks out for the year, but with barely a week left to play time isn’t on the veteran closer’s side. Hendriks hasn’t pitched since June 9, 2023, after which he underwent Tommy John surgery, and this past offseason he signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox in hopes of being able to return by mid-August.

Hendriks did begin building up for a return around then, throwing several live bullpens and making six minor league rehab appearances. The 35-year-old didn’t allow an earned run in any of those appearances, but he hasn’t taken the mound since his Sept. 5 outing and now potentially won’t again until spring training.

Injury updates

Barring any unexpected developments, the Red Sox will activate right-hander Luis Garcia (right elbow inflammation) from the injured list on Saturday. … Cora said veteran closer Kenley Jansen, who has been battling a shoulder issue the past few days, is doing well and is available to pitch.