Emerson Hancock Injury News & Updates

Hancock, who isn't expected to pitch again this season due to a shoulder injury, has been diagnosed with a Grade 1-plus shoulder strain with no tear or structural damage, the team's official site reports.

Hancock received a PRP injection in the shoulder on Tuesday in an effort to speed up the healing process. The promising right-hander's recovery period is estimated to be 4-to-6 weeks from Aug. 20, the date he suffered the injury. At minimum, Hancock should be able to regain full health fairly early in the offseason, teeing up what will be a key spring training for him in 2024 as he gears up to become a permanent fixture in the big-league rotation.

Hancock (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

Hancock was placed on the 15-day injured list after he left Sunday's game with a right shoulder sprain, so it was initially expected he would only miss a couple of weeks. Now on the 60-day, the 24-year-old can not return for the rest of the regular season. Bryan Woo returned from the injured list, but the Mariners also signed starting pitcher Luke Weaver.

Hancock was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right shoulder strain.

Hancock left Sunday's game with the injury, and he will wind up missing at least a couple weeks. He will presumably be replaced in the rotation by Bryan Woo (forearm), who is nearly ready to return from the injured list.

Hancock, who exited Sunday's start against the Astros after two innings due to a shoulder/lat injury, could be headed for a stint on the injured list, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The rookie felt something "kind of grab" in his lat after he fired a scoreless second inning, per manager Scott Servais. Hancock also got his minor-league season off to a delayed start because of a lat strain he suffered during minor-league minicamp in February, and he's battled shoulder issues since he was drafted in 2020. Hancock is considered day-to-day for the moment, but Divish notes it's "likely" the right-hander heads to the IL in coming days and the Mariners temporarily adjust their plans for a six-man rotation.

Hancock was removed after two innings in his start Sunday against the Astros due to a right shoulder strain. He struck out two and gave up no runs on two hits and no walks prior to departing.

The rookie right-hander was making his third start for Seattle after covering five innings in both of his first two big-league outings and giving up six earned runs on 11 hits and three walks. He was off to a strong start Sunday before the injury prompted the Mariners to lift him from the contest after 31 pitches. Though the Mariners are set to welcome right-hander Bryan Woo (forearm) back from the injured list for their series in Chicago that begins Monday, the team had planned to keep Hancock around as part of a six-man rotation during the upcoming week. Hancock's injury probably nixes those plans.

Hancock did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing five runs on nine hits over five innings against the Royals. He struck out one.

After holding the Padres to one run over five innings in his MLB debut, Hancock surrendered nine hits and five runs Tuesday. All of the runs came in the fifth, where Bobby Witt tagged him for a grand slam as part of a five-hit frame. After earning a 10.0 K/9 at Double-A Arkansas this season, Hancock has struggled to accumulate strikeouts at the MLB level, having fanned four batters across 10 innings thus far. The rookie shouldn't earn much streaming consideration for his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to come against the Astros on Sunday.

Hancock is slated to start Tuesday's game in Kansas City.

The rookie will receive a second turn through the rotation after he turned in a solid big-league debut last Wednesday against the Padres. Though he didn't factor into the decision in the Mariners' 6-1 win, Hancock covered five innings and allowed one run on two hits and three walks while striking out three. Tuesday's outing marks what's expected to be the first of two starts this week for Hancock, who tentatively lines up to take the hill again this Sunday in Houston.

Hancock allowed a run on two hits and three walks while striking out three over five innings in a no-decision versus the Padres on Wednesday.

Hancock threw 57 of 87 pitches for strikes in his major-league debut. The right-hander had a shaky 3.7 BB/9 over 101 innings at Double-A Arkansas, so it's not a surprise to see him struggle with walks, though the lack of strikeouts was a bit more surprising given his 10.0 K/9. The 24-year-old will likely get at least one more turn in the rotation while filling in for Bryan Woo (forearm). Hancock is tentatively projected for a favorable road start in Kansas City early next week.

The Mariners selected Hancock's contract from Double-A Arkansas ahead of his scheduled start Wednesday versus the Padres at T-Mobile Park.

The 24-year-old righty will be making his MLB debut Wednesday, stepping into the Seattle rotation as a replacement for Bryan Woo (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday. In order to clear room on the 40-man roster for Hancock, the Mariners designated left-hander Zach Muckenhirn for assignment. Hancock posted a strong 16.8 K-BB% in 21 starts at Arkansas this season and excelled at keeping the ball in the yard (0.83 HR/9), attributes that could allow him to find some success in his first taste of the majors. He may be worthy of a pickup on speculation, but managers in shallower leagues may want to observe Hancock's MLB debut from afar rather than including him in active lineups Wednesday.

The Mariners are calling up Hancock from Double-A Arkansas for his major-league debut, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

It's not clear yet what day that debut will come, but the first-round pick's arrival appears imminent. Hancock, 24, has collected a 4.32 ERA and 107:38 K:BB over 98 innings covering 20 starts with Arkansas this season. He holds a 1.44 ERA and 26:4 K:BB across 25 frames in his last four outings and the Mariners are ready to ride that wave as they look to continue a hot streak of their own.

Hancock has generated a 5.92 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 62.1 innings over 14 starts with Double-A Arkansas, but he's posted three straight quality starts to push his record to 8-3.

It's been a true feast-or-famine season for Hancock, whose contradictory set of metrics is due to four outings where he's allowed between six and nine earned runs. Otherwise, the right-hander, the sixth overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft, has given up three earned runs or less in his other 10 starts, including a pair of blankings against Tulsa of five and six innings. Hancock has dealt with both shoulder and lat injuries over the past two seasons, but he's sporting a career-best 11.0 K/9, albeit alongside a career-high 4.6 BB/9. If he's able to maintain his current form, a move to Triple-A Tacoma later in the summer wouldn't be inconceivable.

Hancock, the Mariners' first-round pick in 2020, has allowed just one earned run on seven hits and recorded 13 strikeouts over nine innings across his first two starts for Double-A Arkansas.

The talented right-hander got his season started with five scoreless innings against Corpus Christi during which he recorded seven strikeouts, and he followed it up by limiting Springfield to an earned run on four hits across four frames on Friday. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports Hancock's fastball was consistently in the 93-95 mph range and generated plenty of swings and misses in his first start, corroborating that Hancock seems to be at full strength after struggling with a right shoulder impingement and strained lat muscle in 2021 and 2022, respectively. "Big time arrow up, trending right direction, whatever you want to call it from him," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "I thought the velocity was better than what I was expecting to see. He looked very healthy."

Hancock was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Mariners on Friday, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Hancock was the sixth pick of the 2019 MLB Draft, and registered a 3.75 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP over 98.1 innings for Double-A Arkansas. The 23-year-old right-hander will likely be a part of Triple-A Tacoma's rotation this year, and could be an option for Seattle at some point this summer.

Hancock has a 1-2 record, 2.45 ERA and 0.95 WHIP across 22 innings in six starts for Double-A Arkansas this season.

Brent Stecker of 710 ESPN Seattle reports the organization is being careful with Hancock's workload after shoulder fatigue led to the 2020 first-round pick being shut down twice by the Travelers last season. Hancock has logged just 22 innings across his six starts, with his last two outings marking the first time he's reached the five-inning mark.

Hancock (lat) worked 1.1 innings Tuesday in his season debut for Double-A Arkansas, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out two.

Making his first appearance of 2022 after he was sidelined for minor-league minicamp and spring training with a strained right lat muscle, Hancock was predictably rusty. He needed 36 pitches just to retire four of the eight hitters he faced, and he also hit a batter with a pitch in addition to issuing a walk. Expect Hancock to gradually increase his pitch count in his subsequent outings once he's further removed from the lat injury.

Hancock (lat) will make his season debut for Double-A Arkansas on Tuesday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Hancock has been out all season with a strained lat. He'll probably have a tough time pushing for his big-league debut this season, as he's made just 12 career professional starts including just three at the Double-A level, but the 2020 sixth-overall pick has plenty of potential and could be a factor for the Mariners in 2023.

General manager Jerry Dipoto said Sunday that Hancock (arm) sustained a minor lat strain about three weeks ago and has been shut down from throwing since then, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Hancock was shut down to close out the 2021 campaign while focusing on arm care and strengthening his shoulder, but he's now dealing with a lat issue as spring training gets underway. Although the righty hasn't been throwing recently, he's been working out and conditioning with the other pitchers in the team's minor-league camp. Even if Hancock is forced to miss time to begin the minor-league season, it's unlikely that he'll face a lengthy absence.

Hancock (arm) was placed on the 7-day injured list at Double-A Arkansas on Wednesday and will be shut down for the rest of the season, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Hancock, a 2020 first-round pick, is instead at the spring training facility in Arizona and is focusing on arm and and strengthening his shoulder. The 22-year-old received a promotion to Double-A a month ago, and he'll finish 2021 with a 2.62 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 43:17 K:BB over 44.2 innings between Double-A and High-A.

The Mariners promoted Hancock from High-A Everett to Double-A Arkansas on Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Though the right-hander hasn't recaptured top form since returning from the shoulder issue that prevented him from pitching in the All-Star Futures Game in mid-July, the Mariners were encouraged enough by his recent outings to bump him up to the next level. Over his nine starts at Everett, the 22-year-old Hancock compiled a 2.32 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB in 31 innings.

Hancock (shoulder) rejoined the High-A Everett rotation Wednesday, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings in a 2-0 loss to Eugene. He gave up one hit and issued one walk while striking out two in the 35-pitch outing.

Making his first appearance for Everett since June 25 after having been shut down with a sore right shoulder, Hancock was eased back into action with a light workload in his return to action. Hancock should ramp up his pitch count a bit in his subsequent starts, but the Mariners aren't likely to allow the 22-year-old to work deep into games the rest of the season, given his long-term importance to the organization.

Hancock did not pitch in the Futures Game due to a shoulder injury, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

General manager Jery Dipoto says the injury is minor and there is no structural damage. Hancock last pitched June 25 and dealt with a minor shoulder injury earlier this season as well. He has a 2.42 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 25:11 K:BB in 26 innings through seven appearances at High-A.

Hancock, the Mariners' first-round pick in the 2020 first-year player draft, fired two scoreless innings during which he issued a walk and recorded three strikeouts in High-A Everett's win over Hillsboro on Thursday.

The 21-year-old spent time with the big-league club in spring training without seeing any game action, so Thursday's opportunity was a long-awaited one. Hancock's ability to consistently miss bats helped generate an impressive level of efficiency, as he needed a modest 31 pitches, 20 which found the strike zone, to record his six outs. The right-hander could conceivably bump up to Double-A Arkansas in the latter portion of the minor-league season if he continues to develop favorably.

Hancock was assigned to minor-league camp Monday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Hancock didn't see any game action while with the big-league club, but he did get an opportunity to surround himself with major leaguers during the first few weeks of spring training. He's currently ranked as one of Seattle's top prospects after being drafted with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 draft.

Hancock has been invited to major-league spring training, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Hancock wasn't at big-league camp over the first few weeks of spring training, but manager Scott Servais said Saturday that he'll join the major-league club for developmental purposes. The 21-year-old won't appear in any Cactus League games but will get to work with the major-league coaching staff prior to heading to the minors to begin the regular season. The sixth overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft impressed at the team's alternate training site last year.

Hancock, the sixth overall selection in the 2020 first-year player draft, impressed over 26 pitches in a live batting practice session Friday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The session was the right-hander's first time facing live hitters at the alternate site, and Hancock gave a very good accounting of himself against some his fellow top prospects. The 21-year-old elicited four groundballs and recorded one strikeout while facing the talented trio of Noelvi Marte, Alberto Rodriguez and Taylor Trammell in simulated situations, flashing some of the stuff that once had him pegged as a potential first overall pick. While the lack of a minor-league season this year certainly hasn't been ideal in terms of Hancock's development, the work he's getting in Tacoma appears to be serving him well.