ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Following his first pitch of the game, starter Emerson Hancock realized he'd made a mistake in judgment.
No, it wasn't the pitch selection or pitch location.
His fastball to Rays leadoff hitter Yandy Diaz was sent right back at him on a hard one-hopper. Instead of hoping that J.P. Crawford would make the play on the ball up the middle, Hancock instinctually stuck out his barehand and tried to grab it.
He didn't. The ball hit off his hand and bounced behind him. Hancock scrambled after the ball and fired off balance to first base to get Diaz.
But as the adrenaline of the moment wore off, he realized that his hand was hurting. After being checked out by manager Dan Wilson and head athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson, Hancock remained in the game and retired the next two batters.
He started the bottom of the second after his teammates had given him a 3-0 lead in the top half of the inning. Hancock struck out Cedric Mullins and got Chandler Simpson to ground out to third. But it was clear the hand was starting to bother him. After walking Victor Mesa Jr. and continually flexing his right hand after pitches, Wilson and Torgerson went to the mound again. This time Hancock left the field, clearly upset with the situation.
Jose A. Ferrer was brought out of the bullpen in relief.
This story will be updated.
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