Injury Sidelines Yankees’ Ian Hamilton for Rest of ALCS

The New York Yankees have been dealt a significant blow in their quest for the American League (AL) Championship Series, with relief pitcher Ian Hamilton ruled out due to injury. Hamilton sustained a left calf injury during Game 3 against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in Cleveland.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced on Friday that the relief pitcher would be replaced by Mark Leiter Jr. for the remainder of the series. “Hamilton suffered a ‘low-grade’ calf strain while covering first base in the sixth inning,” Boone stated.

The injury comes at a crucial time as the Yankees are currently leading the series 2-1. The team suffered a 7-5 loss in Game 3 after having a 5-3 lead in the ninth inning, which included a game-tying home run by Guardians rookie Jhonkensy Noel and a walk-off homer by David Fry in the 10th.

This season, Hamilton recorded a 0-1 win-loss record with a 3.82 ERA in 35 appearances. He faced a challenging season, having missed nearly three months due to a strained side muscle. He made his return in mid-September and played in the AL Division Series against Kansas City.

The pivot to Mark Leiter Jr. came after an evaluation and clearance by Major League Baseball, which required confirmation from an independent doctor regarding Hamilton’s medical condition. Due to league regulations, Hamilton will not be eligible to participate in the World Series should the Yankees qualify.

Leiter, 33, was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in July. He posted a record of 2-1 with a 4.98 ERA in 21 games for the Yankees. Manager Boone also considered adding left-hander Nestor Cortes to the roster but confirmed that Cortes is still recovering from an elbow strain. “I felt it would be unfair to him to skip some steps to get him back,” Boone explained, noting that Cortes remains a possibility for the World Series roster.

Despite mixed performances, Boone remains optimistic about Leiter’s contribution in the upcoming games, stating, “We know he’s capable. He’s had some moments with us, but it’s been up and down.”

The Yankees will look to solidify their lead in the series as they prepare for Game 4 with a slightly altered roster.