In a surprising move, the Seattle Mariners have made an unexpected roster decision, opting to debut 25-year-old veteran pitcher Emerson Hancock. This comes after a sudden shift in strategy, as the team adapts to unforeseen circumstances and injuries, making Hancock a pivotal part of their pitching lineup.
With starting pitcher Luis Castillo sidelined for at least 15 days due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain, the Seattle Mariners have made a significant roster adjustment, calling up right-hander Emerson Hancock from Triple-A Tacoma. The team announced this move on Friday, designating catcher Seby Zavala for assignment in a corresponding decision.
Hancock, the Mariners’ No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Georgia, is set to start Friday night’s game against the Texas Rangers.
At 25, Hancock is making his fourth appearance with the major league club this season. He was initially part of the opening day roster when Bryan Woo was sidelined with an elbow injury. Hancock has been called up multiple times since then, making spot starts in June and July.
In his nine starts for Seattle this season, Hancock has a 3-4 record with a 4.76 ERA, recording 34 strikeouts and 17 walks across 45 1/3 innings. His last major league appearance was on July 6 against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he allowed two runs on six hits, walking one and striking out one over four innings.
In Triple-A Tacoma, Hancock has been a reliable presence, boasting a 7-3 record with a 3.43 ERA over 17 appearances. He struck out 66 batters and walked 37 in 94 1/3 innings.
Meanwhile, Zavala, 31, is being designated for assignment for the third time this season. He also started on the opening day roster before being outrighted to Triple-A in June when the Mariners opted to promote Mitch Garver to the backup catcher role.
In 18 major league games this season, Zavala slashed .154/.214/.282 with two doubles, one home run, and two RBIs in 39 at-bats. In Triple-A, he posted a .188/.325/.376 line with seven doubles, four home runs, and 16 RBIs over 33 games.
This roster shift marks an important moment for the Mariners as they adjust to injuries and aim to stay competitive.
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