Hancock (1-1) picked up the win Wednesday in an 8-5 victory over the Red Sox, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.
The seven Ks were a career high for Hancock, who racked up an impressive 32 called or swinging strikes among his 92 pitches (62 total strikes). With George Kirby (shoulder) not expected back until late May or early June, the Mariners have been scrambling to find a fifth starter, and Hancock's performance Wednesday should buy him more time in the role. Over his last two outings, the right-hander has a 3.27 ERA and 11:2 K:BB in 11 innings. He lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Angels.
Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Better in second outing
Rotowire
Hancock (0-1) did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Reds, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings. He struck out four.
Hancock got off to a rocky start, surrendering a two-run homer to Austin Hays in the first inning. However, the right-hander would settle in and blank Cincinnati over his final four frames, giving up just three more hits. It's certainly an encouraging effort from Hancock, who was sent down to Triple-A after allowing six runs in just two-thirds of an inning in his first start this year. Hancock should get another chance to stick in Seattle's rotation -- he currently lines up for a road matchup with the Red Sox next week.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Starting Thursday
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The Mariners will recall Hancock from Triple-A Tacoma to start Thursday's game against the Reds, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Hancock was originally expected to come up for a start this weekend in Toronto, but a change of plans will see him return to the big leagues a bit earlier. The 25-year-old righty gave up six earned runs in two-thirds of an inning during his season debut in March, but he's turned in a 3.72 ERA and 1.20 WHIP alongside a 12:2 K:BB in 9.2 frames since being sent down to Triple-A. Assuming Hancock's upcoming start in the majors goes better than his last one, he could remain in the Mariners' rotation until George Kirby (shoulder) returns from the IL.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Called up for start
Rotowire
The Mariners recalled Hancock from Triple-A Tacoma ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Reds in Cincinnati.
Seattle optioned reliever Will Klein to Triple-A to clear room on the 26-man active roster for Hancock, who will begin his second stint of the season with the big club. With George Kirby (shoulder) opening the season on the injured list, Hancock broke camp as the Mariners' No. 5 starter but was sent back to Triple-A after getting lit up for six earned runs while retiring just two batters in his lone start March 31 versus the Tigers. The Mariners then turned to Luis F. Castillo to fill the fifth spot in the rotation, but Seattle will go back to Hancock after Castillo found little success through his two starts before being optioned to Triple-A. Hancock delivered strong results at Tacoma following his demotion, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB over 9.2 innings.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Getting start this weekend
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Hancock is expected to make a start this weekend in Toronto, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Hancock opened the season as the Mariners' fifth starter but was sent down after getting rocked for six runs while recording just two outs in his first start. Luis F. Castillo took his place after that, but Castillo has since been optioned himself. Hancock will get another opportunity to hold down the No. 5 spot in Seattle's rotation until George Kirby (shoulder) is ready.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Sent to Triple-A
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The Mariners optioned Hancock to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.
Hancock couldn't make it out of the first inning during his season debut Monday, surrendering six earned runs on seven hits and a walk while recording just two outs en route to taking a loss to the Tigers. He'll now head to Triple-A in order to right the ship. Seattle called up Jhonathan Diaz from Tacoma in a corresponding move, and while he'll provide depth in the bullpen in the short term, he could be a candidate to fill the vacant spot in the rotation when Seattle next requires a fifth starter.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Shellacked in loss
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Hancock (0-1) took the loss Monday against Detroit, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk over two-thirds of an inning with no strikeouts.
The Seattle right-hander failed to escape the first inning as the Tigers whacked three extra-base hits (two doubles and a homer) off Hancock before he was mercifully relieved by Tayler Saucedo. Despite the rough 2025 debut, Hancock has a chance to keep a spot in the Mariners rotation while George Kirby (shoulder) is on the injured list, but he'll need to show improvement. Hancock, a 2020 first-round pick, currently lines up to make his next start at San Francisco this weekend.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Will begin season as fifth starter
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Hancock will open the regular season as Seattle's No. 5 starter, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports.
There was little doubt Hancock would be able to win the job, given the lack of other candidates on the roster, but he solidified himself after allowing just one run on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Rangers. George Kirby (shoulder) is not expected to rejoin the Mariners until mid-April, setting up Hancock to make a handful of starts to begin the campaign. "He's really had a good camp. I think he's really taken a step forward here," manager Dan Wilson said. Even so, the 2020 first-rounder's fantasy upside could still be restricted, considering Hancock fanned a lowly 14.7 percent of the batters he faced over 60.2 innings in 2024.
Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Searching for rhythm this spring
Rotowire
Hancock gave up three runs on four hits and one walk in Friday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers, striking out four over 2.1 innings while taking the loss.
The Mariners have a rotation spot up for grabs, as George Kirby (shoulder) is likely to begin the season on the injured list, and Hancock appears to be the most likely candidate to begin the year as a starter. However, Hancock is still looking for a groove this spring, as he carries a 9.53 ERA and 1.94 WHIP over 5.2 frames (three starts). The 2020 No. 6 overall pick has a case as a late-round flier in fantasy drafts due to Kirby's injury, but Hancock could have limited upside after recording a weak 14.7 percent strikeout rate across 60.2 innings in 2024.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Control issues in spot start
Rotowire
Hancock did not factor into the decision in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Athletics, allowing three earned runs on five hits and four walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.
Hancock tossed only 56 of 93 pitches for strikes and generated a modest eight whiffs. He allowed a solo home run to Tyler Soderstrom to lead off the sixth inning before exiting a batter later, making it his longest outing at the big-league level since June 13. The right-hander shuttled between Seattle and Triple-A Tacoma this season, and he finished with a 4-4 mark, 4.75 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 39:19 K:BB across 60.2 big-league innings over 12 starts. Hancock posted better overall numbers in 16 starts with the Rainiers (6-3, 3.26 ERA, 1.27 WHIP), and he could get a chance to try and crack the major-league rotation again in spring training, although the M's aren't lacking for pitching depth.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Recalled from Tacoma
Rotowire
The Mariners recalled Hancock from Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday.
Hancock has been recalled ahead of his start Saturday against the Athletics. He made his last start with the Mariners on Sept. 21 against the Rangers, when he allowed two runs on five hits while striking out three across five innings. Across 11 major-league outings this season, Hancock has a 4-4 record with a 4.72 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 36:15 K:BB across 55.1 innings.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Mariners optioned Hancock to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.
The move implies Luis Castillo (hamstring) will be able to return from the 15-day injured list to make a start this coming week. Hancock has been a serviceable sixth starter for the Mariners this season, posting a 4.72 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 11 starts (55.1 innings).
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Earns fourth win
Rotowire
Hancock (4-4) earned the win against the Rangers on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks with three strikeouts over five innings.
Hancock surrendered a two-run homer to Josh Smith in the third inning but worked four scoreless frames and generated 10 whiffs on 79 pitches. The 25-year-old pitched well considering this was his second consecutive start against Texas, and he now owns a 4.72 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 36:15 K:BB across 55.1 major-league innings this season. He could finish the regular season in the rotation against the Athletics next weekend, though that hinges on the status of Luis Castillo (hamstring).
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Drawing another start
Rotowire
Hancock is slated to start Saturday's game against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
He'll pick up a second turn through the rotation in place of Luis Castillo (hamstring), who was placed on the injured list Sept. 10. Hancock has made 10 starts for Seattle this season, pitching to a 3-4 record, 4.83 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB over 50.1 innings.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Up from Tacoma
Rotowire
The Mariners recalled Hancock from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.
Since being optioned to Triple-A in early July, Hancock has posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.40 WHIP alongside a 30:21 K:BB across 50 innings. He'll now rejoin the Mariners' rotation to replace Luis Castillo (hamstring), who landed on the injured list Tuesday. Hancock's first MLB start in over two months will come against a Rangers offense that has produced a .723 OPS since the start of September.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Yields three runs in no-decision
Rotowire
Hancock allowed three earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings in a no-decision Friday in the Mariners' 5-4 win over the Rangers.
Hancock threw 60 of 90 pitches for strikes in the start, though the Mariners offense didn't wake up until after he exited the game. Hancock has given up three or more earned runs in four of his 10 major-league appearances this season and nows owns a 4.83 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 33:15 K:BB over 50.1 innings. With Luis Castillo (hamstring) on the injured list, Hancock could end up finishing the season in the majors as a member of the rotation. He's projected to make his next start at home versus the Yankees.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Optioned after spot start
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The Mariners optioned Hancock to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.
Hancock was called up from Tacoma to make a spot start in Saturday's loss to the Blue Jays, giving up two runs on six hits and one walk over four innings. With Bryan Woo (hamstring) set to return from the 15-day injured list week, Hancock is headed back to Tacoma to rejoin its rotation.
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