Yankees reliever Ian Hamilton left today’s Game 3 loss in Cleveland with what the team called a strained left calf muscle. The right-hander told Dan Martin and Greg Joyce of the New York Post that he will be photographed before tomorrow’s game.

Aaron Boone challenged Hamilton in the sixth inning with New York trailing 2-1. He allowed a leadoff walk Lane Thomas before Daniel Snowman hit a grounder to first base. Jon Berti threw the ball to the ground and flipped it to Hamilton, who covered it for the out. Hamilton apparently pinched his calf while running to the pocket. After repeating the call, he first threw a warm-up pitch. He airmailed the litter and was immediately picked up Tim Mayza.

Hamilton enjoyed a breakout season in 2023 after signing a minor league contract. He pitched 58 innings of 2.64 ERA ball with a 28.9% strikeout rate and an excellent 55.3% grounder percentage. His succession was solid rather than great. Hamilton allowed 3.82 earned runs per nine in 35 regular season appearances. Strikeouts dropped a few percentage points while his ground ball rate dropped to a pedestrian 43.8%. The 29-year-old missed a few months mid-season with a lat strain.

New York has represented Hamilton on each of their playoff squads, although he hasn’t played a major role. He made one appearance in the Division Series, pitching 1 1/3 scoreless frames with three strikeouts in the Game 2 loss to the Royals. This was Hamilton’s first ALCS action.

If the Yankees have to replace him on the roster, his season is over. Players eliminated midway through a playoff round are not eligible to play in the following series. The post writes that one of Mark Leiter Jr. or Clayton Beeter would move into the bullpen as a relief. Beeter only has three MLB games under his belt. Leiter has a lot more experience and should get the call.

MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reports (on New York acquired the right-hander from the Cubs at the deadline. Leiter struck out nearly 35% of the batters he faced at the time. He continued to miss a slew of at-bats in the Bronx (31.7% strikeout rate ), but has given up way too much hard contact. Leiter has been tagged for six home runs in 21 2/3 innings as a Yankee and has been struck out in both series lineups so far.