What happened to Ian Hamilton? Yankees bullpen could be in trouble on path to World Series

New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton left Thursday's Game 3 of the ALCS after experiencing tightness in his calf while covering first base in the sixth inning. The Yankees ultimately fell to a 7-5 defeat after Cleveland Guardians slugger David Fry blasted a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 10th to give Cleveland their first win in the ALCS.

The latest news from the New York camp is that Hamilton is headed for an MRI after suffering a calf injury while stretching to reach the bag at first base.

Hamilton was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 2016 MLB draft and went on to make his major league debut with them in 2018. Over the next few years, the pitcher faced several injury problems which saw him largely restricted to the minors.

He was eventually DFA's by the White Sox and after being claimed off waivers by multiple teams, he finally made his return to the majors with the Minnesota Twins in 2022 before being sent down to the minors again.

Hamilton eventually signed a minor league contract with the Bronx Bombers in 2023 and made it made to the majors, recording a breakout season. However, his continued injury troubles saw him miss large parts of the MLB season. Over the course of the 2024 season, he made 35 relief appearances for the Yankees and earned his second appearance of the postseason on Thursday.

After completing just one out in the sixth inning, he tweaked his calf in an attempt to pick the bag at first base, effectively ending his first postseason in the majors.

Clay Holmes remains positive despite Ian Hamilton's injury and Game 3 loss against Guardians

After Ian Hamilton was forced off the field in the sixth inning due to injury, the Yankees managed to restrict the Guardians until the eighth inning. However, Luke Weaver gave up a two-run home run in the ninth which tied the score at 5-5.

All-Star pitcher Clay Holmes was then called up in the bottom of the 10th to keep the Yankees in the game but was hit for a walk-off home run by David Fry. Speaking to the media after the game, Holmes remained positive nonetheless:

"I have a lot of confidence that we can come out here tomorrow and bounce back," Holmes said via YES Network.

The Yankees still maintain a slim 2-1 lead in the series and will hope to bounce back in Game 4 at Progressive Field on Friday.