Ahead of their three-game series against the Washington Nationals on Monday, the Yankees made several changes to their roster. They announced that relief pitcher Ian Hamilton would be placed on the 60-day injured list, creating a gap on the 40-man roster.
Ian Hamilton’s injury update
Hamilton has been out of action since June 16 with a latissimus injury, so his placement on the 60-day IL is more of an organizational measure than an indication of an extended absence. If he makes good progress in his rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset, he should be able to return soon.
Yankees sign outfielder Duke Ellis
To fill the roster spot, the Yankees signed outfielder Duke Ellis from the Chicago White Sox. Ellis has only played in eight major league games in his career, all of them this season with the White Sox. In those appearances, he has yet to record a hit but has stolen four bases. Known for his speed on the base paths, Ellis stole 34 bases last year with Chicago’s Double-A team and 17 in just 32 games in Triple-A with the Seattle Mariners.
Ellis’ role and potential influence
While Ellis is not known for his offensive abilities, he is a solid defensive player who adds speed to the Yankees’ lineup. Now on the 40-man roster, Ellis will likely start in Triple-A and wait for an opportunity to be called up. However, with Jasson Dominguez dominating in the minors, it is unlikely that Ellis will see major league action anytime soon.
Hamilton’s potential return and impact
Hamilton has posted a 4.55 ERA over 29.2 innings this season. After posting a 2.64 ERA over 58 innings in 2023, many believed he would be a key part of the Yankees bullpen. Unfortunately, his performance dropped off, possibly due to injury.
Fortunately, Hamilton is working diligently on his comeback and is projected to be a productive relief pitcher. He throws his fastball over 90 miles per hour and uses a “slambio,” a combination of slider and change-up, to create deception. The Yankees are anticipating the return of several reinforcements, including Hamilton, Cody Poteet, Clarke Schmidt and Jon Berti, all of whom are expected to return to the team next month.
