Yankees Replace Injured Ian Hamilton with Mark Leiter Jr
- Ian Hamilton suffered a left calf injury during a playoff game against the Cleveland Guardians on October 17, 2024.
- Hamilton was removed from the Yankees' roster and replaced by Mark Leiter Jr. after medical review permitted the substitution.
- His injury renders him ineligible to play in the World Series if the Yankees progress further in the postseason.
On October 17, 2024, during a playoff game between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians, the Yankees faced not just a tough loss on the field but also a significant setback in their roster. Reliever Ian Hamilton sustained a left calf injury while attempting to cover first base and had to leave the game after pitching to only two batters. Subsequently, the team announced his removal from the postseason roster. Mark Leiter Jr. was named as his replacement after the MLB approved the change by reviewing Hamilton's medical status. Due to the injury, Hamilton will be unable to participate in the World Series if the Yankees advance. Before the injury, Hamilton had played in two postseason games and had a solid performance during the regular season with a 3.82 ERA over 35 games. His extended absence earlier in the season due to a strained right lat raised concerns about his durability, making this injury particularly frustrating for both the player and the team.