CLEVELAND — Ian Hamilton is headed for an MRI exam Friday that will determine whether he can finish out the postseason with the Yankees.
The reliever tweaked his left calf while running to cover first base in the sixth inning of a crushing 7-5, 10-inning loss to the Guardians in Game 3 of the ALCS at Progressive Field on Thursday night.
Hamilton tried to stay in the game, but after a delay due to a challenge on the play at first, he threw a warm-up pitch that sailed to the backstop and his calf “grabbed” on him.
Yankees reliever Ian Hamilton leaves ALCS Game 3 in the sixth inning on Oct. 17, 2024. Getty ImagesAfter a brief visit from a trainer and Aaron Boone, he was removed from the game and replaced by Tim Mayza.
“Going to get imaging [Friday] and then hopefully do whatever it takes to stay out there for the rest of the year,” Hamilton said. “Frustrating, but I’m going to try to get back out there.”
It was Hamilton’s first appearance since a terrific four-out performance in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Royals on Oct. 7.
The Yankees have leaned heavily on relievers Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle and, lately, lefty Tim Hill through the first seven games of the playoffs, making Hamilton an important piece to take some high-leverage innings. B
ut depending on the results of the imaging, he may need to be removed from the ALCS roster, which would rule him out for the World Series if the Yankees advance.
The potential replacements for Hamilton would be Mark Leiter Jr. and Clayton Beeter.
The red-hot Giancarlo Stanton moved into the cleanup spot Thursday, but it remains to be seen if he will stay there.
With the Guardians starting left-hander Matthew Boyd, Boone bumped Stanton, who hit a big solo homer in the eighth inning, up a spot into the four-hole, as he did against lefties during the regular season.
But it was more noticeable Thursday because of the way cleanup hitter Austin Wells has been scuffling at the plate in the postseason, though Wells was out of the lineup altogether in Game 3 for the right-handed hitting Jose Trevino.
Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the New York Yankees reacts as he rounds the bases on his solo home run. Jason Szenes / New York PostFollow The Post’s coverage of the Yankees in the postseason:
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Asked if Stanton could stay in the cleanup spot moving forward regardless of the starter, Boone left the door slightly ajar.
“Possible, but chances are I got two more lefties back in there,” Boone said. “I don’t necessarily want to load the back end with lefties and the top end with righties, especially as much as you know they’re going to use their pen and do things. I wouldn’t say it’s not possible, but I also try to create as much balance as I can, too.”
Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) reacts in the dugout. Corey Sipkin for the NY POSTNestor Cortes (left elbow flexor strain) came through well after facing hitters Wednesday for the first time since he was shut down in late September.
The lefty threw 15-20 pitches and could face hitters again this weekend as he tries to remain an option for the World Series if the Yankees make it there.
“Another encouraging day for him,” Boone said.
Right-hander Gavin Williams will start Game 4 on Friday for the Guardians. He faced the Yankees in August and gave up three runs across 4 ¹/₃ innings, which included Aaron Judge taking him deep.
“They’ve got a tough lineup,” Williams said. “But I faced them earlier in the year, and I know what they have, and they know what I have.”
