Cardinals Assign Tink Hence to Florida Complex League

The St. Louis Cardinals have announced that right-handed pitcher Tink Hence has cleared waivers and will be assigned to their Florida Complex League affiliate. This decision follows his designation for assignment last week when the team promoted left-hander Quinn Mathews.

Today marks Hence's 24th birthday, and he was once regarded as a promising prospect, being the 63rd overall pick in the 2020 draft. He made a strong impression in the lower levels of the minors, earning a spot on top 100 prospect lists after a successful 2024 season where he recorded a 2.71 earned run average over 20 starts in Double-A. However, injuries have significantly impacted his career trajectory, limiting his performance in recent seasons.

This year, Hence has primarily pitched out of the Triple-A bullpen, struggling with a 6.64 ERA over 20 1/3 innings. His strikeout rate has dropped to 20.2%, and he has faced challenges with walks, issuing them to 18.2% of batters. The Cardinals' decision to send him to the Complex League may indicate a focus on improving his health and mechanics, as he has the potential but has become a long-term project due to his injury history.