Mariners scrap Logan Gilbert-Emerson Hancock piggyback start originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert anticipated a longer runway for his start Saturday. Teammate Emerson Hancock appreciated the extra day of rest.
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In the midst of a quirky part of their 2026 MLB schedule, the Mariners were scheduled to play 12 games over a 13-game stretch. Their lone off day remains Wednesday, which will uniquely break up a series against the host Los Angeles Angels. The teams are giving way to an FIFA World Cup match at nearby Lumen Field.
About two weeks ago, Mariners manager Dan Wilson announced that the pitching staff had adopted a piggyback formation to give starters extra time and help balance the six-man rotation leading up to the All-Star break in mid-July.
Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo on June 19 engaged in the first adjusted outing, losing a 6-2 decision to the Boston Red Sox at T-Mobile Park. Gilbert and Hancock were slated to make the second of three scheduled piggyback starts, but have been put on hold. George Kirby and Bryan Woo were announced as a potential pair, but their outing has yet to be established.
“Extra rest is never bad, I don’t think so,” Hancock said, as reported by MLB.com. “Not on the body.”
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Mariners SP Logan Gilbert provided longer runway
The AL Pitcher of the Week for the second time in his six-year career, Gilbert entered Saturday with a 1.35 earned-run average and 18 strikeouts over his previous 13.1 starts. Opposing batters hit .116 off the right-hander last week.
With the Mariners capturing their last six games when Gilbert started, Wilson wanted the 29-year-old to expand on his 6-0 mark with a 1.49 ERA during that span. In his opening 10 starts this season, Gilbert went an average of 5.2 innings and compiled a 4.45 ERA.
Without Hancock ideally waiting to take over after five innings, Gilbert overcame a three-run, fourth-inning and remained in the game through seven innings of a traditional start. He surrendered four earned runs on seven hits, striking out seven and walking none. Gilbert’s winning streak ended with a 4-3 loss at Progressive Field.
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“We’ll revisit the piggyback at a different time when (it) makes a little bit more sense and we don’t have as many off days,” Wilson said, per The Seattle Times. “We’ll see as we go forward.”
