RADIO
Emerson Hancock Turns Heads in First Start of the Season on Sunday
Seattle Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock had a special night on Sunday in Seattle in the series finale against the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park to earn his first victory of 2026. Hancock has never looked so good, throwing six scoreless and hitless innings while walking just one and striking out a career-high nine. If the 26-year-old keeps pitching anywhere near this level going forward, it will be impossible for Seattle to kick him out of the starting rotation when right-hander Bryce Miller (oblique) is ready to return from the injured list. It's unclear exactly how long he'll stick in the M's rotation, but he'll definitely be a popular matchup-based streamer in his second scheduled start of the year next week against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. Hancock has been mediocre at the big-league level the last three years, going 8-9 with a 4.81 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 15.6% strikeout rate, and 7.6% walk rate in 162 2/3 innings. He's going to need to keep it up to be considered more than just a swingman in Seattle. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Hancock's progression.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
