Leiter Jr. added to Yanks' ALCS roster, replaces injured Hamilton
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CLEVELAND -- The Yankees added right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. to their bullpen for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, replacing right-hander Ian Hamilton as an injury substitution.
Hamilton sustained a left calf strain while covering first base during the sixth inning of New York¡¯s 7-5, 10-inning loss to the Guardians in ALCS Game 3 on Thursday night.
Major League Baseball approved the roster substitution after Dr. Gary Green, MLB¡¯s medical director, confirmed the injury following a full review of the medical information.
In accordance with the rules, Hamilton will be ineligible to return for the World Series, should the Yankees advance.
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Leiter, 33, was acquired by the Yankees from the Cubs on July 30 ahead of the Trade Deadline, but he struggled in 21 appearances, posting a 2-1 record and a 4.98 ERA. He was not included on the club¡¯s AL Division Series roster against the Royals.
Overall this season, Leiter was 4-5 with a 4.50 ERA in 60 appearances.
¡°Hopefully, when called upon, he¡¯ll give us quality outs,¡± general manager Brian Cashman said. ¡°He¡¯s had a hell of a year, just not as good when he got here for us. But he¡¯s certainly capable. He¡¯s a pretty good weapon against left-handed hitters.¡±
Clayton Beeter and Cody Poteet were also discussed, but Cashman said the Yankees chose Leiter because of that track record against lefties and Cleveland¡¯s roster construction.
Cashman said that left-hander Nestor Cortes was not considered to replace Hamilton, as ¡°we¡¯d be skipping too many return-to-play protocols to put him in there and safely deploy him.¡±
Cortes, who is rehabbing from a left elbow flexor strain, hopes to be ready to pitch in a potential World Series.
¡°There are a few more hurdles for him to climb to put him in a safe zone,¡± Cashman said. ¡°It¡¯s his career we¡¯re talking about. We¡¯ll make sure he¡¯s right.¡±
Hamilton was a reliable contributor to the Yankees' bullpen this season, posting a 3.82 ERA across 35 appearances, though he did not pitch in the Majors from June 16 until Sept. 9 due to a right lat strain.