Liam Hendriks ‘really happy’ after his first time pitching for the Red Sox, albeit in a spring training game

That process started on Wednesday when the righthander threw a scoreless inning against the Rays.

It was a bit of a battle as Hendriks lacked command of his breaking pitches and shouted out a few choice words when he missed the plate. But with a runner on second and two outs, he struck out Taylor Walls swinging at a cutter to end a 20-pitch inning.

Hendriks spun off the mound while pumping his fist and let out a roar.

“You come across as a bit of a [lunkhead] when you do that in the fourth inning of a spring training game,” Hendriks said.

Hendriks was 94-96 miles per hour with his fastball, the best velocity he has shown in camp. That made up for some wayward off-speed pitches.

“It’s trending in the right direction,” Hendriks said. “I was really happy.”

Hendriks had not pitched in a spring training game since 2022. He missed 2023 while being treated for cancer, then 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

It also was his first time pitching for the Red Sox, albeit in a Grapefruit League game. His only experience last season came in six minor league games.

“Nice to get that one out of the way,” Hendriks said.

Manager Alex Cora has said he won’t name a closer until much closer to the start of the season.

“I just want to be given an opportunity for it,” Hendriks said. “I plan on winning that job.”

Aroldis Chapman hit 101 m.p.h. with his fastball, which is not unusual for him but not what he expects to do in February.

Chapman reported to camp at 230 pounds, 20 fewer than usual. That has led to an uptick in velocity.

“He feels he’s not as rigid as he was before,” Cora said. “He’s intrigued by it. He said that throughout his career he’s never thrown this hard early in camp.”

Chapman got two outs then issued two walks in the third inning before leaving the game, having thrown 11 of 23 pitches for strikes.

“There was some pitches that could have gone either way. I just didn’t get the call,” Chapman said via a translator. “I don’t worry about that.”

Matt Moore was on the wrong side of Red Sox history on Sept. 12, 2015, when he allowed the 499th and 500th career home runs by David Ortiz during a game at Tropicana Field.

Moore was a starter returning from Tommy John surgery at the time and left two curveballs in the wrong spot.

“It sounded like a home game for them,” Moore said.

Now Moore is a 34-year-old reliever who was signed to a minor league contract by the Sox last week and invited to spring training.

He appeared in 51 games for the Angels last season. But a forearm strain ended his season in late August and teams were hesitant about his health. He threw for teams earlier this month.

“There was not of ton of opportunity. [The Sox] were more interested than others,” Moore said.

Moore has a 2.98 earned run average since going to the bullpen in 2022.

Connor Wong has yet to play as he deals with a sore right shoulder. He should be ready by the weekend. “If this was during the season I’d be playing,” he said . . . Tests are trending in the right direction for Wilyer Abreu, who has a gastrointestinal issue. He should start baseball workouts soon . . . Rafael Devers, who has been in a cheery mood, is doing more work on the field and should be in the lineup early next week . . . Quinn Priester is the scheduled starter on Thursday, with Garrett Crochet on Friday, Tanner Houck on Saturday, and Walker Buehler on Sunday . . . The Sox plan to send Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, David Hamilton, Marcelo Mayer, Abraham Toro, Trayce Thompson, and a few other players on an overnight road trip to play the Tigers and Phillies starting Thursday. Other players will travel to one game . . . Former Red Sox prospect Kyle Teel hit a long home run off celebrated Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki during a B game in Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday. Teel was one of the prospects the Red Sox traded to the White Sox for Crochet.

Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him @PeteAbe.