Yankees Lose Two Key Pitchers to IL, Continuing Roster Shakeup…READ MORE.

The New York Yankees are in the midst of a major roster shakeup this week, with numerous players out due to injury and replacements coming in. It began with Anthony Rizzo and Jasson Dominguez suffering injuries over the weekend. On Monday, the Yankees elevated first-base prospect Ben Rice to replace Rizzo on the roster. On Monday, reliever Ian Hamilton and young starter Cody Poteet were both added to the disabled list. Hamilton has a right lat strain and will miss three to four weeks of baseball action. Poteet is on a 15-day injured list with a right triceps strain, and it is unclear whether his absence will go longer.

The Yankees managed to avoid the injury bug early in the season. It is a big factor for their current 50-24 record, which is the best in the MLB. However, the pandemonium of 2023 will return in full force in mid-June. Clarke Schmidt, who had emerged as New York’s top starter early in the season, had a lat strain identical to Hamilton’s. The Yankees confirmed on Monday that Schmidt would be placed on the 60-day injured list.

After the injury bug began impacting position players over the weekend, the pitching staff has taken a further hit. Hamilton has been one of the team’s most often deployed middle relievers since last season. Although his numbers were better in 2023 than they are this season, he still averages more than one strikeout each inning. He has 30 punchouts in 29 2/3 frames. When Hamilton returns, he should keep an eye on his elevated walk rate, which has contributed to his higher ERA and WHIP this season.