With the Mariners in need of a spot starter to allow them to re-slot the top of the starting rotation to pitch — with an extra day of rest — in a key weekend series vs. the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park, Emerson Hancock provided something more than an appearance.
The rookie right-hander was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma to start Thursday night vs. the White Sox and delivered a winnable outing. He pitched a career-high seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits with two walks and one strikeout. It was his fourth quality start of the season.
His reward?
Minimal run support, a loss on his record and being optioned back to Triple-A Tacoma after the game. In the search for positives for Hancock, at least he didn’t have to fly to Round Rock to join the Rainiers for the next few days. Instead, he will work out in Tacoma and prepare for his start next week.
“I thought Emerson Hancock did an awesome job for us last night,” manager Scott Servais said before Friday’s game against the Rangers.
But since it was only a spot start, the Mariners used Hancock’s roster spot to re-add right-hander Cody Bolton to return the bullpen to the normal eight pitchers.
“We are back to a full bullpen now,” Servais said.
After being optioned back to Tacoma on May 23, Bolton made eight scoreless appearances. In 7 2/3 innings pitched, he allowed three hits with a walk and six strikeouts while recording a save.
“He’s throwing the ball really well,” Servais said pregame. “There were a couple of things we asked him to work on down there and he has done it. He’ll probably get a chance to pitch tonight. We’ll see how it goes.”
The Mariners seem confident that right-hander Bryan Woo will be able to return to the mound and likely make a start in the upcoming series vs. the Guardians, which starts Tuesday in Cleveland.
Woo is playing catch and trying to have a normal buildup to that start. It will include a bullpen session. He hasn’t thrown off a mound since his last start in Oakland on June 6.
“He’ll throw a bullpen before he goes out there,” Servais said. “We’re not going to put him in a game and pitch without one. We’ll make sure he gets through a bullpen completely and feels good. And then we’ll see how he responds the next day. My guess is he’ll throw a bullpen in the next day or two.”
If all goes well, Woo would likely start three days after that bullpen session. If Woo isn’t able to pitch, they would have to place him on the injured list to bring back Hancock or Jhonathan Diaz to take his place on the roster per MLB rules.
Note
Outfielder Jonny Farmelo, the Mariners No. 6 prospect in the organization, was at T-Mobile Park on Thursday to meet with the Mariners medical staff. He was on crutches after suffering an injury while playing outfield for High-A Modesto.
Farmelo suffered a knee injury while making a play on defense in a game on June 11 at Visalia. He went to make a catch and his knee buckled on the play, knocking him to the ground. He remained in the game initially but was later removed. The Nuts placed him on the 7-day injured list on June 14.
Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said via text message they are “worried” about Farmelo’s knee and would provide a medical update soon.
Farmelo, 19, has played in 46 games for Modesto, posting a .264/.398/.421 slash line with 10 doubles, three triples, four homers, 25 RBI, 18 stolen bases, 36 walks and 52 strikeouts.
Farmelo’s teammate, Colt Emerson, has been out since May 16 after suffering a fracture in his right foot. The Mariners’ No. 2 prospect suffered the injury after fouling a ball off his foot.
He’s expected to be back in mid-July.
