Ian Hamilton DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

New York Yankees right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton (calf) faced hitters in a live batting practice session at spring training on Thursday. Hamilton should be ready for Opening Day in late March after injuring his calf in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series last October against the Cleveland Guardians. In his second season in the Bronx in 2024, Hamilton produced a 3.82 ERA (3.03 FIP), a 1.35 WHIP, one save, 41 strikeouts and 14 walks in 37 2/3 relief innings in the regular season. He's been productive out of the Yankees' bullpen when healthy, but he battled through multiple injuries last year for the second straight season. Despite his injury concerns, the 29-year-old's swing-and-miss stuff makes him interesting in deeper fantasy leagues for his well above-average strikeout rate.

After New York Yankees right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton (calf) suffered a left-calf injury in the loss in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday to the Cleveland Guardians, the Yankees removed him from the playoff roster and replaced him with right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. It's a tough break for the 29-year-old, as he now will not be eligible to play in the World Series if the Yankees advance past Cleveland. He allowed an earned run on one hit while walking one and striking out three in just 1 2/3 relief innings in his first postseason with the team this year. The 33-year-old Leiter will now give the Yankees extra depth out of the bullpen the rest of the way. Leiter began the year with the Cubs and had a 4.98 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and a 33:9 K:BB in just 21 2/3 relief innings for the Yankees in the second half.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton (calf) suffered left-calf tightness in his outing in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Thursday at Progressive Field against the Cleveland Guardians. Hamilton injured himself trying to make a play at first base in the sixth inning and was pulled after recording just one out. In one-third of an inning pitched, he allowed an earned run and a walk. It's unclear how severe the 29-year-old's injury is, but if the Yankees are forced to take him off the roster for the ALCS, he won't be eligible to pitch in the World Series if New York advances past the Guardians. Thursday's outing was only his second postseason appearance, with his first coming in the AL Division Series against the Royals, when he tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts in the Game 2 loss on Oct. 7.