The right-handed pitcher will get the nod for the Mariners for Game 3 against the Rockies
SEATTLE — The last two days have been one of the best stretches in recent franchise history for the Seattle Mariners.
The Mariners clinched a playoff berth with a 4-3 win against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, and clinched the American League West championship with a 9-2 win against the Rockies on Wednesday. It's Seattle's first division championship since 2001 and just the third playoff berth in the last 25 seasons for the franchise.
Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo started for the Mariners in Games 1 and 2, respectively. Bryan Woo was supposed to start in the series finale at 6:40 p.m. PT on Thursday. It was announced that he would miss Thursday's outing due to right pec inflammation he suffered in his last start against the Houston Astros on Sept. 19.
Ahead of Game 3 against Colorado on Thursday, Seattle confirmed that right-handed pitcher Emerson Hancock would start the series finale.
The Mariners will clinch a top-two seed in the American League and a bye through the wild card round of the playoffs with a win against the Rockies or if the Cleveland Guardians lose.
Hancock began the season in Seattle's starting rotation due to fellow starting pitcher George Kirby beginning the year on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Hancock made 15 starts for the Mariners amid the injuries to Kirby and to other starters Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller. He posted a 5.47 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 77.1 innings pitched.
Hancock was optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers July 2, a day after his last start of the season against the Kansas City Royals.
While he was in Triple-A, Seattle moved Hancock from the starting rotation to the bullpen. The team recalled him from Triple-A on Aug. 27 and opted to keep him as a reliever.
Since being recalled, Hancock has made six appearances out of the bullpen and has a 2.08 ERA with four strikeouts across 8.2 innings pitched.
Throughout his entire year, including his time as a reliever, Hancock has a 5.13 ERA and has fanned 57 batters in 81 innings pitched across 21 outings (15 starts). His strikeouts, innings pitched, outings and starts are all career-highs. He made his major league debut in 2023.
Woo is currently day-by-day and is working through his treatment. Based on how he responds, he could return and make a start in the Mariners' final series of the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which takes place from Sept. 26-28.
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