After exiting Game 3 on Thursday night, New York Yankees right-hander Ian Hamilton has been replaced by Mark Leiter Jr. on the ALCS roster. The reliever left the game with apparent left calf tightness. The news comes hours before the start of Game 4 in Cleveland.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees replaced RHP Ian Hamilton on the ALCS roster with RHP Mark Leiter Jr. (#38).
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 18, 2024
Hamilton appeared to be in pain after covering first base in the sixth inning of Game 3. The injury-riddled Hamilton, who has pitched in just 1 ⅔ innings in the postseason, was one of New York’s most reliable relievers when healthy this season. The 29-year-old pitched to a 3.82 ERA and excelled at limiting barreled balls during the regular season. Unfortunately, Hamilton will not be eligible to return to the roster for the World Series if the Yankees make it past the ALCS.
Ian Hamilton Replaced by Mark Leiter Jr. on Yankees ALCS Roster
Hamilton’s replacement, fellow right-hander Mark Leiter Jr, was previously left off both the Yankees’ ALDS and ALCS rosters. Leiter, 33, was traded to New York from the Chicago Cubs at this year’s trade deadline. Unfortunately, his season didn’t improve upon coming to New York. In 21 ⅔ regular season innings, Leiter posted a 4.98 ERA and allowed six homers. However, Leiter has shown flashes of effectiveness, boasting a 33.6% strikeout percentage and a 38.1% whiff percentage.
Despite debuting in 2017, Leiter has yet to appear in a single postseason game in his career. This is likely to change, as the Yankees’ bullpen availability continues to decline after the gut-wrenching loss in Game 3. If Leiter harnesses the command that has so often escaped him this season, he could be a viable bullpen option.
As the series momentum shifts in the Guardians’ direction with their 7-5 win in Game 3, the Yankees can only hope that their bullpen doesn’t take any more hits than it already has. Next to Cleveland’s MLB-best ‘pen, the Yanks are going to need all they can get out of Leiter and his fellow relievers if they wish to advance to the World Series.
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