New York Yankees Select Right-Handed Pitcher's Contract

The New York Yankees have selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Ian Hamilton from Triple-A Wilke-Barre/Scranton.

The 27-year-old right-handed pitcher signed a minor league contract with the team in February and impressed during spring training with a perfect 0.00 ERA in nine innings, recording six strikeouts and three walks.

Following yesterday’s game, the Yankees optioned RHP Jhony Brito to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Signed RHP Ian Hamilton (#71) to a Major League contract and selected him to the active roster.
•…

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 3, 2023

Hamilton's MLB career has been limited to just 15 games across three seasons with the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins, but the Yankees were impressed with his performance during spring training and worked with him to extend his opt-out while waiting for a big league opening.

Hamilton's unique pitch, the "slambio," is a hybrid slider-changeup that breaks away from left-handed batters and down and in to right-handed batters. This, combined with his exceptional control of the running game and fastball velocity, makes him a promising addition to the Yankees bullpen.

Ian Hamilton throws a combination slider/changeup that the Yankees describe as a “slambio.” Aaron Boone explained: slider + cambio = slambio.

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) April 3, 2023

Although Hamilton's career was almost cut short in 2019 when he suffered a devastating injury after being struck in the face by a foul ball while in the Triple-A Charlotte dugout, he has bounced back and is ready to prove himself with the Yankees. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports