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Hankins was released by the Guardians on Saturday.
A first-round pick in 2018, Hankins underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2021. He made just 17 appearances in the minors after that, reaching Double-A Akron this season for only one outing. It's unclear if the right-hander will latch on with another big-league organization or perhaps attempt to revive his career overseas.
Hankins (elbow) tossed 1.1 innings Saturday and was charged with three earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two after High-A Lake County activated him Tuesday.
Hankins was making his first appearance at a full-season affiliate since Aug. 29, 2019, with his lone other outing since that time coming in a rehab appearance at the rookie-ball level last August. The 22-year-old has endured a long road back from May 2021 Tommy John surgery and will likely have his workload managed carefully this season.
Indians' Ethan Hankins: Recovering from Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Hankins underwent Tommy John surgery in May, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
The 21-year-old right-hander is listed as being at Double-A Akron, and he will likely head to High-A or Double-A when he is fully recovered sometime next summer. Given the timing of the surgery, Hankins may not be back in game action until July or August of 2022.
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Indians' Ethan Hankins: Dealing with elbow issue
Rotowire
Hankins is dealing with an unspecified elbow injury and will visit with team doctors, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
The nature and severity of Hankins' injury should become clear following his examination. The 20-year-old owns a career 2.71 ERA in 63 professional innings, none of which have come above Low-A.
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Indians' Ethan Hankins: Added to 60-man pool
Rotowire
Hankins will be a part of the Indians' 60-man player pool this season.
Hankins is one of the Indians' best pitching prospects and will get to train with at least 14 other promising prospects at an alternate site while the big leaguers train at Progressive Field. He was included for developmental purposes, but given that he has logged only 21.1 innings against full-season hitters, Hankins is unlikely to be used much, if at all, in the majors this season.
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Indians' Ethan Hankins: Held back in extended ST
Rotowire
Hankins is opening the year in extended spring training before being assigned to a short-season affiliate in June, MLB.com reports.
The good news is that Hankins is healthy, but we will have to wait a couple months to see him in game action this year. He will need to work on repeating his delivery and controlling his electric arsenal, but he has top-of-the-rotation upside if it all comes together. Look for him to begin the year in either the AZL or the New York-Penn League.
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