Tink Hence Strikes Back: Cardinals' Star Prospect Dominates Rehab Start

Jupiter, Florida, USA - As the sun shines down on the lush fields of Jupiter, Florida, the St. Louis Cardinals‘ No. 3 prospect, Tink Hence, is making headlines for his remarkable comeback from injury. This young pitcher is poised to add some serious firepower to the Cardinals’ ranks, especially after a stellar rehab outing on June 7.

Having suffered a right rib cage strain earlier this season, Hence didn’t make his debut until May 21. Initially placing him on the 60-day Injured List, many followed his progress with keen interest. Since returning, Hence has blossomed, as evidenced by his latest appearance with the Class-A Palm Beach Cardinals, where he pitched an impressive 2 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six batters. Out of the eight outs he recorded, six were via strikeout—a performance that left fans buzzing. Indeed, Yardbarker reports that this was Hence’s “most electric rehab outing yet” as he clearly showcased his talent and resilience.

A Promising Future

At just 22 years of age, Tink Hence holds a remarkable track record in the minors. He boasted a 2.71 ERA over 20 starts in Double-A before his injury, with an eye-popping 34.1% strikeout rate. However, as laid out by MLB Trade Rumors, durability is a key concern—with few pitchers trembling before the challenges of a full season.

Fewer than four innings per start certainly raises eyebrows, and Hence hasn’t even reached 100 innings in a professional season yet. To make matters more interesting, he missed about a month last season, which makes fans wonder if he can truly turn the tide this year. Having been placed on the minor league 60-day IL allows him time to recover without starting his service clock, but will this be the year that everything clicks into place?

A Community Waiting with Bated Breath

As the 2025 season progresses, there are many players like Hence who are eager to make a comeback after significant injuries. According to MiLB, numerous top prospects are gearing up for fresh starts this season. Some have faced challenging recoveries that spanned these past months, with the hope that they can rejoin the top ranks of baseball.

For Tink Hence, the resolve is palpable. With his recent performance and ongoing development, fans can expect an exciting future. Will he finally be the ace the Cardinals have been dreaming of? Many are ready to testify that there’s something to be said for talent like his, and Tink Hence just might have the break-out season that this budding young star deserves.