Ian

Hamilton

Hamilton will get a chance to compete for a spot in Atlanta’s bullpen, and while he’s on the 40-man roster, there’s no guaranteed cash for the 30-year-old. He was non-tendered by the Yankees after posting a 4.28 ERA over 36 appearances with a K/BB of 42/22 to go with it.

All five hurlers non-tendered have dealt with injuries over the last few years, and the Yankees will allow all to test free agency. Leiter Jr. has the stuff to be a high-leverage option, but teams will likely be reticent of investing too much in a 34-year-old that has missed as much time as he has.

A consequence of the Yankees adding three relievers at the deadline. Hamilton has dealt with injuries, but this is first time being sent down since the Yankees called him up just a few days into the 2023 season. He had a 4.28 ERA in 40 innings so far this season. Since debuting with the Yankees, he has a 3.45 ERA and a 152/62 K/BB in 135 2/3 innings.

Hamilton was the Yankees’ choice as the opener Friday with Max Fried and Cam Schlitter both dealing with issues that will push their first appearances of the second half to next week. The 30-year-old Hamilton allowed three runs on doubles to Matt Olsen and Ronald Acuna and a sacrifice fly by Ozzie Albies. The Yankees couldn’t recover from the 3-0 deficit, saddling Hamilton with his first loss of the season.

The Yankees are opening the second half with an opener. Marcus Stroman and Cam Schlitter could both be available in relief, but those plans haven’t been disclosed. There hasn’t been any update on whether Fried will be available at all this weekend. If Fried can’t go, we imagine the Yankees will use Will Warren tomorrow and Carlos Rodón on Sunday.

Hamilton picked up a viral illness towards the end of spring training that sidelined him for a few weeks and required a brief rehab stint to build his stamina back up. He should immediately join the middle relief bridge to Luke Weaver and Devin Williams in the Yankees’ bullpen. Adam Ottavino was designated for assignment to make room on the active roster.

The Yankees just signed the 39-year-old on Monday, but with Ian Hamilton coming off the IL, they’ll jettison him after his second short stint on the roster this season. Ottavino can likely pitch in somebody’s bullpen in 2025, but it remains to be seen if the New York native is interested in playing somewhere else.

Is it another one-day stay for Adam Ottavino? The only Yankees reliever with options is Fernando Cruz, and it’s unlikely the team will stick him in Triple-A. Will Warren is also optionable, but the Yankees will likely need him to make one more start before Clarke Schmidt is activated. Hamilton, returning from a viral illness, has given up four runs in 2 1/3 innings during his rehab assignment,

Hamilton is currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He’ll be an option in the mid-to-late innings for the Yankees upon his return.

Hamilton was sidelined in the late stages of the spring with a viral illness and will need a handful of minor league relief appearances before he’s ready to rejoin New York’s middle relief mix. He should be ready to return next week when he’s first eligible to be activated.