New York Yankees right-hander Ian Hamilton (back, lat) was scratched from his minor-league outing on Friday at Double-A Somerset due to back spasms, according to manager Aaron Boone. It's pretty disappointing for Hamilton and the Yankees, as he was most likely going to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list on Saturday if he got through his outing on Friday unscathed. The 29-year-old has been out of action since the middle of June due to a right-lat strain, and now he's dealing with back issues. Hamilton struck out six over 2 1/3 scoreless innings for Somerset on Aug. 24 and 27. It's unclear how much time this setback will cost him, but with a month left in the season, he should be able to make it back to New York's bullpen before the end of the regular season. Hamilton has a 4.55 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 30 strikeouts in his 29 2/3 relief innings for the Yanks in 2024.

New York Yankees right-hander Ian Hamilton (lat) is scheduled to resume throwing live batting practice sessions this week. Hamilton is ready to take the next step after throwing a few successful bullpen sessions. If the 29-year-old reliever can get through a few live BP sessions, he'll be ready to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. The former 11th-round pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2016 out of Washington State was struggling before his injury, posting a 4.55 ERA (3.31 FIP) and 1.58 WHIP with 30 strikeouts and 14 walks in 29 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in his second year in the Bronx. Barring a setback with his lat, it's possible that Hamilton can be an option for New York's bullpen again before the end of August.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton (lat) is set to throw a high-intensity bullpen session on Tuesday, August 6, according to MLB.com. Hamilton hit the 15-day IL in June due to a lat strain. He recently began the first steps in his throwing program and will now progress to a much higher-intensity exercise. Prior to the injury, the right-hander held a 4.55 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and a 14:30 BB:K ratio through 29 innings of work. He did very well in limiting hard contact with a 3.4% barrel rate and generated whiffs at an elite 35.1% mark. The 29-year-old is still several steps away from returning to the mound as he has yet to face live hitters. When he does return, fantasy managers should expect Hamilton to produce a high amount of holds as he was typically deployed as a set-up man to Clay Holmes.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton (illness) is expected to be activated from the seven-day injured list before Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Hamilton has been sidelined since May 19 with an illness, and his symptoms lingered through the week, which resulted in him being placed on the injured list. The 28-year-old has performed well in an eighth-inning setup role, posting a 3.18 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and tallying 19 punchouts across 22 innings. The right-hander is worth adding in leagues that score holds, as he should return to his typical eighth-inning role when activated on Tuesday.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton (groin) could be activated from the 15-day injured list during the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates that begins this Friday, while reliever Keynan Middleton (shoulder) is a little behind Hamilton and may not return until next week during the homestand against the Toronto Blue Jays. Hamilton is trying to return from a right-groin strain and may not even need a minor-league rehab appearance before rejoining New York's bullpen. The 28-year-old has a nice 2.24 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, two saves and 64 K's in 52 1/3 innings this year over 35 games (three starts). Middleton is eligible to return from the IL on Sept. 19. The 30-year-old has a 3.08 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, two saves and 64 K's in 49 2/3 relief innings with the Yankees and Chicago White Sox in 2023.

New York Yankees right-hander Ian Hamilton (groin) is expected to rejoin the club this week in Oakland, according to MLB.com. The 28-year-old hasn't seen big league action since May 16 after suffering a right groin strain. Hamilton was enjoying a solid season before getting hurt, posting a 1.23 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 34.1% strikeout rate with one save and one hold over 22 innings. If he continues where he left off, the former 11th-rounder should get right back into a high-leverage role, with a chance for a few save opportunities.

New York Yankees reliever Ian Hamilton (groin) is expected to throw live batting practice on Thursday, according to MLB.com. If that goes well, he'll be cleared for a rehab assignment and could return before the end of June. Hamilton's been out of action since suffering a right groin strain on May 16. Before going on the shelf, the 27-year-old was enjoying a successful 2023 campaign, pitching to a 1.23 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 34.1% strikeout rate with one hold and one save over 22 innings. Hamilton doesn't offer much in standard leagues, but when he's back from the injured list, fantasy managers in save-plus-hold leagues may want him on their roster.

New York Yankees right-hander Ian Hamilton (groin) is scheduled to toss a bullpen either on Saturday or Sunday, according to MLB.com. His first bullpen came on May 30, and after his next session, the club could clear him for a rehab assignment. Hamilton sustained a right groin strain on May 16 and was ultimately placed on the 15-day injured list the day after. Over 22 innings, the 27-year-old owns a 1.23 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 34.1% strikeout rate with one save and one hold. Fantasy managers can expect to see Hamilton back in mid-June, but his save opportunities will likely be limited, so most of his value will come in hold leagues.

New York Yankees right-hander Ian Hamilton (groin) is heading to the 15-day injured list on Wednesday after suffering a right-groin injury in Tuesday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, the Yankees are bringing up pitcher Nick Ramirez from the minors. The 27-year-old Hamilton will now miss at least the next two weeks of action. He's been very impressive in 16 appearances out of the bullpen so far in 2023, allowing three runs on 15 hits while walking nine and striking out 30 in 22 innings pitched for the Yanks. Hamilton also picked up his first career save on May 6 on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The New York Yankees took reliever Ian Hamilton out of Tuesday's game after 0.2 innings due to right groin tightness, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports. Before his exit, the 27-year-old allowed one hit and two walks but struck out two and wasn't charged with any runs. The club will re-evaluate Hamilton on Wednesday, so fantasy managers should check back in. If he does go on the shelf, it was bad timing, as the former 11th-round pick was coming into his own and is running a 1.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 30 punchouts across 22 innings, and has been a late-inning option lately, recording one hold and one save since May 6.