Yankees Recall Bradley Hanner For MLB Debut

The Yankees announced they’ve recalled reliever Bradley Hanner from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He takes the bullpen spot of Kervin Castro, who lands on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to August 10) with right elbow neuritis. ESPN’s Jeff Passan was first to report Hanner’s promotion.

It’s the first big league call for the 27-year-old Hanner, who has spent the year in Scranton. It is nevertheless technically a “recall,” as the Yankees selected Hanner’s contract shortly after the All-Star Break and immediately optioned him back to Triple-A. That came in response to him triggering an opt-out in his minor league deal, which required the Yankees to put him on the 40-man roster or let him test free agency.

Hanner’s performance made that an easy decision for the front office. He has been among the best Triple-A relievers this year, pitching to a 2.10 ERA while striking out 29% of opponents over 51 1/3 innings. Hanner’s 11.4% walk percentage is higher than ideal and reflects the below-average control he has had throughout his professional career. The stuff clearly played against minor league hitters, even as he’s not especially overpowering. He’s averaging 93.4 mph on his four-seam fastball while mixing in a sinker, cutter and sweeper.

A 21st round draftee by the Twins in 2019, Hanner has never been a premium prospect. He didn’t make it beyond High-A in the Minnesota system before the Guardians added him in the minor league phase of the 2022 Rule 5 draft. Hanner spent a couple seasons in the Cleveland organization, but they allowed him to walk in minor league free agency after he posted a 4.74 ERA in Triple-A last year.

Hanner is in his first of three minor league option years, so the Yankees can send him back to Scranton at any point. They’ve had a strong bullpen but don’t have a ton of optionable depth, as Angel Chivilli is now their only pure reliever in the minors who is on the 40-man roster.