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. The deal also includes a club option for the 2020 season.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Hancock (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Tuesday,

EDGE Analysis

Hancock hit the 10-day DL back in late June with shoulder inflammation. He's evidently still at least a month away from recovering, 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.

Hancock was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Hancock was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Sunday, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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 DL. Hancock has a solid 1.50 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 12 innings of work with the Cubs this season.

Hancock was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Hancock was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Hancock's contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Bruce Miles of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.