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Yankees Make Major Pitching Change After Consecutive Losses

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Apr 8, 2025 9:45 AM ET

Veteran reliever Ian Hamilton has arrived to save the New York Yankees’ struggling pitching staff.

The Yankees activated Hamilton, 29, off the 15-day injured list Tuesday morning. Hamilton missed the start of the season with a viral infection and recorded allowed four runs over 2.1 rehab innings at Triple-A.

Hamilton’s return means a familiar transaction for Adam Ottavino, who the Yankees designated for assignment once again. The Yankees DFA’d Ottavino last Friday, announced his release Sunday, and then re-signed him Sunday evening.

So, in other words, expect to see Ottavino on the mound again later this week.

Let’s return to Hamilton, who has emerged as a key bullpen piece over the last two years. Although the Yankees briefly tried Hamilton as a starter in 2023, he worked his way into Aaron Boone’s inner circle upon becoming a middle reliever.

Hamilton owns a 3.10 ERA, 2.1 bWAR, and 110-40 K-BB ratio across 95.2 innings in pinstripes.

The Yankees have lost four of their last six largely because of poor pitching. Boone’s club entered play Tuesday ranked 10th in ERA (4.48; the league average is 4.08) and fifth in walks allowed (45, nine more than the league average).

Monday’s losing streak gave the Yankees their second losing streak. The Yankees didn’t lose consecutive games for the second time last year until April 25-26, their 26th and 27th games of the season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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