On Wednesday night, Seattle Mariners pitcher Emerson Hancock made a surprise exit from the game against the Houston Astros after just two innings. The 21-year-old right-hander had been cruising through the first two frames, allowing just one hit and no runs. However, after throwing his first pitch of the third inning, Hancock was removed from the game due to an apparent injury.
The Mariners have yet to provide any details on the nature of Hancock’s injury or how long he may be out. However, manager Scott Servais did confirm that the team’s medical staff had examined Hancock and determined that he should not continue pitching.
Hancock had been one of the Mariners’ most promising young pitchers this season, posting a 3.00 ERA in his first three starts. He had also struck out 18 batters in 15 innings of work.
The loss of Hancock is a significant blow to the Mariners’ rotation, as they are already without ace Marco Gonzales, who is on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. It’s unclear who will take Hancock’s place in the rotation, but Seattle will likely need to call up a minor leaguer to fill the void.
The Mariners have yet to announce a timeline for Hancock’s return, but it’s clear that his injury is a major setback for the team. Until he is able to return to the mound, Seattle will have to rely on their other pitchers to pick up the slack and keep them in contention for a playoff spot.
