Hancock agreed to a contract Wednesday on a one-year contract with the Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.The deal also includes a club option for the 2020 season.
Hancock's decision to head overseas comes just days after the Cubs declined to tender him a contract for 2019. The 28-year-old right-hander reached the big leagues for the first time last season, accruing a 1.46 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB across 12.1 innings before being shut down in late June with shoulder inflammation. He should be back to full strength for his new employer when the NPB season gets underway.
Hancock (shoulder) wasn't tendered a contract for the 2019 season by Chicago, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Hancock managed to appear in just 10 games out of the bullpen prior to being lost for the season. The 28-year-old posted a 1.46 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 12.1 frames before suffering a shoulder injury and being placed on the 60-day disabled list at the end of July.
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Cubs' Justin Hancock: Moved to 60-day disabled list
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Hancock (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Tuesday,
Hancock hit the 10-day DL back in late June with shoulder inflammation. He's evidently still at least a month away from returning, as he'll be ineligible to return before late August. The move makes room on the 40-man roster for deadline-day acquisition Brandon Kintzler.
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Cubs' Justin Hancock: Heads to disabled list
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Hancock was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hancock only faced one batter in Monday's contest, but it appears he picked up the sore shoulder somewhere along the way. He will be eligible to return July 6, but it remains to be seen how long he will be sidelined.
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Cubs' Justin Hancock: Returns to MLB roster Sunday
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Hancock was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.
Hancock's stay in Iowa was a short one, as he was optioned down on Friday. The Cubs had some bullpen openings, with Luke Farrell being sent down Sunday and Rob Zastryzny (back) getting put on the 10-day disabled list. Hancock has a solid 1.50 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 12 innings of work with the Cubs this season.
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Cubs' Justin Hancock: Sent back down to Iowa
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Hancock was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan reports.
Hancock tossed a perfect inning against the Reds on Thursday but will head back to Iowa in order to make room for Brian Duensing (bereavement) on the active roster. With that performance, Hancock lowered his ERA to 1.50 through 12 innings with the Cubs this year, so expect to see him back with the team in the near future.
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Cubs' Justin Hancock: Sticking with big club
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Hancock will remain on the Cubs' active roster after serving as the 26th man for Tuesday's doubleheader, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Hancock was expected to return to the minors following Tuesday's twin bill, but Brandon Morrow's (back) placement on the disabled list Wednesday has allowed the reliever to stick with the big club. He recorded two outs without allowing a run Tuesday, lowering his ERA to 1.64 through 11 innings on the year.
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Cubs' Justin Hancock: Up as 26th man
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Hancock will join the Cubs as their 26th man for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Dodgers, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
The Cubs used five pitchers in the first half of the doubleheader, so Hancock has a chance to be used in the second half. In 10.1 innings for the Cubs so far this year, the reliever has a 1.74 ERA.
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Cubs' Justin Hancock: Optioned to Triple-A
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Hancock was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.
He has a 1.74 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 10:7 K:BB in 10.1 innings this season, but the Cubs will opt to get a fresh arm in the big-league bullpen. Luke Farrell was recalled as a corresponding move. Look for Hancock to rejoin the big-league bullpen later this season.
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Cubs' Justin Hancock: Contract selected from Triple-A
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Hancock's contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Bruce Miles of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.
The right-handed reliever logged a 3.77 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB in 14.1 innings with the Iowa Cubs prior to the promotion. He will likely work in low-leverage situations while up with the big club.
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Cubs' Justin Hancock: Loses battle for bullpen spot
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Hancock lost out to Eddie Butler in the battle for the Cubs' final bullpen spot, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic Chicago reports.
Hancock was shipped to the Cubs last May in exchange for outfielder Matt Szczur. In 51.1 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A last year, he recorded a 4.91 ERA, striking out 8.9 batters per nine innings but walking 4.6 per nine. He's on the threshold of a promotion to the big leagues but won't be anywhere near the top of the closer depth chart, so his fantasy value will be limited if and when he does arrive.
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Cubs' Justin Hancock: Could get a shot to start season
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With the Cubs releasing Justin Grimm on Thursday, Hancock is an option to fill the open bullpen spot, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.
Hancock has a 3.00 ERA this spring and his stuff has drawn praise from manager Joe Maddon. The 27-year-old is still probably a bit of a long shot to begin the season in the bullpen, but he looks like a guy who could get a call at some point if a need arises.
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Cubs' Justin Hancock: Re-signs with Cubs
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Hancock inked a minor-league deal with the Cubs.
Hancock finished the season at Triple-A Iowa, posting a 4.50 ERA across 22 innings. He's transitioned from a starter to a reliever within the last year, and it finally looks like he's beginning to adjust. The 26-year-old will likely stay in the same role next season, and will need to limit the walks if he hopes to set foot in the major leagues any time soon.
Hancock was acquired by the Cubs from San Diego in exchange for outfielder Matt Szczur on Monday, Mark Gonzales of ESPN Chicago reports.
Hancock posted a 3.59 ERA but a mediocre 1.47 WHIP over 22 starts for Double-A San Antonio in 2016. He's pitching out of the bullpen at the same level this season, and Hancock has not taken to the transition well, with a 6.23 ERA and seven walks over 13 innings. Unless something changes quickly for Hancock, expect him to serve as organizational depth for the Cubs.
