Mariners starter Emerson Hancock leaves with hand injury

Field Level Media|published: 07/12/2026, 3:23pm EDT

Jul 12, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock (26) reacts after being hit by a ball against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock left Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning after suffering an injury to his pitching hand.

In the bottom of the first, Hancock fielded a hard comebacker from leadoff man Yandy Diaz with his bare hand. He completed that play and went on to retire the first five batters he faced.

After walking Victor Mesa Jr. with two outs in the second, Hancock signaled to the dugout that he could no longer continue. Jose A. Ferrer entered to close out the inning.

Hancock, 27, has fashioned a 6-4 record with a 3.17 ERA in 18 starts this season. He has stacked up 94 strikeouts versus 25 walks in 99 1/3 innings.

--Field Level Media