Yankees place newly acquired pitcher on concussion list, activate top bullpen arm

The New York Yankees are finalizing their preparations for Saturday evening’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, ahead of the 6:35 PM start time, the Yankees have announced some pivotal roster changes that could have lasting implications for the team.

Anthony Misiewicz Lands on Seven-Day Concussion List After Scary Incident

In a heart-stopping moment during Friday night’s game, newly acquired relief pitcher Anthony Misiewicz took a 100 mph line drive to the face. Following this frightening event, he has been placed on the seven-day concussion list, jeopardizing the remainder of his season. The good news is that Misiewicz was discharged from the hospital and appears to have avoided any life-threatening injuries after collapsing on the field and being taken off on a cart.

Misiewicz’s journey this season has been a peripatetic one. He’s spent time with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers before landing with the Yankees. His current stats include 11 innings pitched with a less-than-ideal 9.00 ERA and a 59.4% left-on-base rate.

Ian Hamilton Activated: A Career-Defining Season Continues

Taking Misiewicz’s spot on the roster, the Yankees activated Ian Hamilton off the 15-day injured list. Hamilton had last pitched against the Detroit Tigers on August 30, delivering three scoreless innings.

Recovering from a groin injury, Hamilton is eager to build upon what has been a career-best season. His impressive stats for the season include a 2.24 ERA over 52.1 innings, 11 strikeouts per nine innings, a 79.4% left-on-base rate, and a 56.1% ground ball rate. This remarkable turnaround comes after a less-than-stellar track record with both the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox.

The Rise of the “Slambio” and Long-Term Potential

One of the keys to Hamilton’s breakout performance has been the Yankees’ ability to tweak his ground ball rate and introduce a unique “slambio” pitch—a hybrid of a slider and a change-up. With the Yankees retaining control over Hamilton through 2029, the expectation is that he will continue to play a vital role in the bullpen for the 2024 season and beyond.