Rangers pitcher claimed by Yankees without throwing a single pitch for Texas

New York Yankees claim right-handed pitcher Dom Hamel off waivers from Texas Rangers

On Tuesday, the New York Yankees announced they claimed right-handed pitcher Dom Hamel off waivers from the Texas Rangers. New York designated left-handed pitcher Jayvien Sandridge and outfielder Marco Luciano for assignment to clear space for Hamel and star outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger on its 40-man roster. The Rangers designated Hamel for assignment about a week ago to clear room for right-handed reliever Jakob Junis, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal with Texas for the 2026 season.

Yankees are the third team Hamel has been claimed by since end of September

Hamel, 27 in March, never threw a single pitch for the Rangers organization. Texas claimed the righty off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on September 27 and optioned him to Triple-A Round Rock. The Rangers recalled Hamel on September 29, but, as stated earlier, he never got the opportunity to pitch in a Rangers uniform.

Hamel made his MLB debut last season, throwing a scoreless inning for the New York Mets on September 17. He has yet to have another big league appearance since then. One day after making his MLB debut, Hamel was designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by the Orioles two days later. Then, the Orioles designated him for assignment five days later, allowing the Rangers to claim him.

The Mets drafted Hamel from Dallas Baptist University in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He began his professional career as a starter, but the Mets moved him to the bullpen last year due to control struggles. In parts of five minor league seasons, the righty has posted a 4.72 ERA with 511 strikeouts and 202 walks across 438 1/3 innings. As a reliever last year, Hamel pitched to a 5.32 ERA with 75 strikeouts and 22 walks in 67 2/3 innings across 31 appearances. He throws a mid-90s four-seamer and sinker and a cutter, changeup and slider.

What are the Yankees' plans for new reliever Dom Hamel?

Since he has a couple of options remaining, the Yankees can stash him in the minors. If they were to put him on waivers, he wouldn't be able to reject an outright assignment to the minors. However, despite his struggles, it appears many teams are interested in Hamel, considering he has been claimed by three separate teams since the end of September.