The Yankees have made a roster move by claiming right-handed pitcher Dom Hamel off waivers from the Rangers. To make space, they designated left-handed pitcher Jayvien Sandridge and outfielder Marco Luciano for assignment. This shift clears room for both Hamel and Cody Bellinger, who recently signed a five-year deal.
Hamel is relatively new to the big leagues, having made his debut with the Mets on September 17. He had a quick stint there, pitching just one scoreless inning. After that, he was claimed by the Orioles and then the Rangers, who recently waived him.
At 27, Hamel has had ups and downs in his career. Originally a starter, he switched to the bullpen due to control issues. Last year in Triple-A, he pitched 67⅔ innings with a 5.32 ERA. While his earned run average isn’t stellar, he struck out 25.2% of batters and improved his control with a 7.4% walk rate. He relies on various pitches, including a four-seamer and a sinker.
Hamel still has options, allowing the Yankees to keep him in the minors for additional depth. Since he hasn’t accrued much service time, he can’t reject an outright assignment if the team decides to go that route.
On the other hand, Marco Luciano is experiencing a challenging phase. Once a highly regarded prospect, he has recently found himself in a tough spot, moving between teams through waivers. His performance has declined, and he’s being watched closely by several clubs that might want to keep him for depth in the minors. Last season, he struggled with a batting average of .217 and has a significant strikeout rate of 35.7%.
At just 24, Luciano is still young enough for teams to hope he might rediscover his potential. Some analysts believe this could be a pivotal moment in his career, with a chance for rebirth if given the right situation.
Jayvien Sandridge, turning 27 soon, made his debut last year but had a rough outing against the Mets. That one game mirrored his minor league record, which has shown he can strike out hitters but struggles with control. In Triple-A last year, he sported a 4.66 ERA, alongside a walk rate of 11.4%. He throws hard, averaging around 95 mph, but his inconsistency has made his future uncertain.
As these players navigate their paths in Major League Baseball, it’s clear their journeys are tightly connected with the consequences of team decisions and personal performance. The waiver system, while a mechanism for roster management, also serves as a reminder of the fine line many players walk in pursuit of their dreams.
For more on the intricacies of MLB rosters and team strategies, you can check out ESPN’s analysis.
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