Ian

Hamilton

Hamilton was replaced by Tim Mayza after appearing to suffer a lower body injury. It even looked like Hamilton may have turned his ankle on a warm up pitch as he attempted to stay in the game. Losing Hamilton would be a blow to the Yankees bullpen depth that they can’t afford at this point in the playoffs.

Hamilton took the mound in the bottom of the tenth to close out the game with a one-run lead. He gave up a base hit to put runners on the corners before striking out a batter while Julio Rodríguez was picked off at third. Hamilton then struck out the final batter to end the game, securing the win and locking up a playoff spot for the Yankees.

Hamilton returns to New York’s high-leverage mix ahead of Saturday’s showdown against the Cubs at Wrigley Field following a nearly three-month absence recovering from a right lat strain.

Hamilton has been on the shelf since mid-June due to a right lat strain and is attempting to make it back at some point in September. It doesn’t sound like a serious concern, but back issues can be tricky. It certainly qualifies as a setback, but not a massive one.

Hamilton has already missed 60 days, so this is a paper move that makes room for Duke Ellis on the 40-man. Hamilton just began a rehab assignment Saturday, pitching a perfect inning for Double-A Somerset.

Hamilton has been out since mid-June recovering from a right lat strain and should be ready to get back into New York’s high-leverage relief mix at some point in early September.

Hamilton has been on the injured list since mid-June due to a right lat strain and remains without a clear timetable to rejoin New York’s relief mix. The 29-year-old righty still needs to progress to facing hitters in a live batting practice session before he’s ready for game action.

Nothing official yet, but it certainly sounds like Hamilton will require a lengthy absence. The 29-year-old righty has been a key high-leverage option for New York this season, even if he hasn’t come close to replicating last year’s stellar Yankees debut.

Hamilton rejoins New York’s bullpen for Tuesday’s series opener against the Angels following a one-week absence on the COVID-19 injured list.

The Yankees already optioned out Yoendrys Gomez on Sunday to free up a spot in their bullpen for Hamilton’s return. The 28-year-old hurler has registered a 3.18 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and a 19/9 K/BB ratio over 22 2/3 innings of work out of the Yankees’ bullpen this season.