Markevian Hence: Everything you need to know

Hence returned to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports. Hence was sent out to the Cardinals' complex in Florida in late April to work on his mechanics after allowing eight earned runs in just 8.1 innings to begin the year at Triple-A. Although he never played a game in the FCL, the Cardinals are seemingly pleased with his progress and will now rejoin the Redbirds. The 23-year-old righty owns a 40-man roster spot, so if he bounces back nicely at Memphis, he could be called up for his MLB debut at some point this season.

Hence was demoted to the Cardinals' Florida Complex League roster Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Hence has posted an 8.64 ERA and 7:9 K:BB over 8.1 innings while working out of the bullpen at Triple-A Memphis. In his most recent outing, the righty averaged just 89.6 mph with his four-seamer and 90.2 mph with his sinker, with both pitches reflecting considerable drops in velocity. Hence will work on things in a less pressurized environment before likely rejoining the Memphis roster at a later date.

The Cardinals optioned Hence to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Injuries limited Hence to just eight total appearances in the minors last year, during which he posted a 2.95 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 21.1 innings. He surrendered three earned runs in just 1.2 frames in the Grapefruit League, but he'll receive a bump up to Triple-A to begin 2026. The Cardinals have hinted toward shifting the 23-year-old righty into a relief role to combat his health issues, though the plan to develop him as a starter hasn't been completely abandoned.