New York Yankees right-handed reliever Jake Cousins (elbow) is under a week away from getting back on the mound, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. Meanwhile, right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton (illness) is scheduled to rejoin the Yankees' bullpen for their series in Detroit that starts on Monday, April 7. Cousins was unable to pitch at all in spring training due to a right-elbow flexor strain and began the regular season on the 60-day injured list as a result. The 30-year-old pitched well for the Yanks down the stretch and could be back in a high-leverage role eventually in 2025, but he won't be eligible to return until at least late May. Hamilton dealt with an undisclosed illness in spring training but is now feeling better after going on a minor-league rehab assignment. He's been solid for the Yankees since 2023 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, but he's unlikely to have much fantasy appeal in a middle-relief role.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton (infection) will open the season on the injured list. Hamilton has begun to increase his workload and recently made his spring debut, which suggests he should not face an extended absence. Last season, Hamilton tossed 37 2/3 innings in the Yankee bullpen and held a 3.82 ERA with a 1.65 WHIP. During this stint, Hamilton tallied 41 punchouts but held a modest 8.6 percent walk rate. However, he generated an elite 3.8 percent barrel rate and a strong 37.1 percent hard-hit rate, which suggests he may face some positive regression in 2025. He also tallied 11 holds operating primarily in a high-leverage role. While Hamilton remains out, fantasy managers should expect the Yankees to deploy Luke Weaver as the primary setup man, with Fernando Cruz also seeing high-leverage work.

New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Ian Hamilton (infection) is nearing his spring training debut. Hamilton has been dealing with an infection during the early part of camp. However, given that the team is expressing optimism about his status, suggests he will not be in any danger of missing Opening Day. Last season, Hamilton logged 37 2/3 innings out of the Yankee bullpen and held a 3.82 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP. He tallied strikeouts at a solid 25.2 percent rate and walks at an 8.6 percent rate. Hamilton also generated whiffs at an elite 36.5 percent rate, which suggests he should see positive regression in his strikeout production when he returns to the bump. While he is cleared to return to action, fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to compete for a high-leverage role in the New York bullpen and will be a viable target in deeper leagues that score holds.

New York Yankees right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton (calf) faced hitters in a live batting practice session at spring training on Thursday. Hamilton should be ready for Opening Day in late March after injuring his calf in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series last October against the Cleveland Guardians. In his second season in the Bronx in 2024, Hamilton produced a 3.82 ERA (3.03 FIP), a 1.35 WHIP, one save, 41 strikeouts and 14 walks in 37 2/3 relief innings in the regular season. He's been productive out of the Yankees' bullpen when healthy, but he battled through multiple injuries last year for the second straight season. Despite his injury concerns, the 29-year-old's swing-and-miss stuff makes him interesting in deeper fantasy leagues for his well above-average strikeout rate.

After New York Yankees right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton (calf) suffered a left-calf injury in the loss in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday to the Cleveland Guardians, the Yankees removed him from the playoff roster and replaced him with right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. It's a tough break for the 29-year-old, as he now will not be eligible to play in the World Series if the Yankees advance past Cleveland. He allowed an earned run on one hit while walking one and striking out three in just 1 2/3 relief innings in his first postseason with the team this year. The 33-year-old Leiter will now give the Yankees extra depth out of the bullpen the rest of the way. Leiter began the year with the Cubs and had a 4.98 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and a 33:9 K:BB in just 21 2/3 relief innings for the Yankees in the second half.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton (calf) suffered left-calf tightness in his outing in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Thursday at Progressive Field against the Cleveland Guardians. Hamilton injured himself trying to make a play at first base in the sixth inning and was pulled after recording just one out. In one-third of an inning pitched, he allowed an earned run and a walk. It's unclear how severe the 29-year-old's injury is, but if the Yankees are forced to take him off the roster for the ALCS, he won't be eligible to pitch in the World Series if New York advances past the Guardians. Thursday's outing was only his second postseason appearance, with his first coming in the AL Division Series against the Royals, when he tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts in the Game 2 loss on Oct. 7.

New York Yankees right-hander Ian Hamilton (back, lat) was scratched from his minor-league outing on Friday at Double-A Somerset due to back spasms, according to manager Aaron Boone. It's pretty disappointing for Hamilton and the Yankees, as he was most likely going to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list on Saturday if he got through his outing on Friday unscathed. The 29-year-old has been out of action since the middle of June due to a right-lat strain, and now he's dealing with back issues. Hamilton struck out six over 2 1/3 scoreless innings for Somerset on Aug. 24 and 27. It's unclear how much time this setback will cost him, but with a month left in the season, he should be able to make it back to New York's bullpen before the end of the regular season. Hamilton has a 4.55 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 30 strikeouts in his 29 2/3 relief innings for the Yanks in 2024.

New York Yankees right-hander Ian Hamilton (lat) is scheduled to resume throwing live batting practice sessions this week. Hamilton is ready to take the next step after throwing a few successful bullpen sessions. If the 29-year-old reliever can get through a few live BP sessions, he'll be ready to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. The former 11th-round pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2016 out of Washington State was struggling before his injury, posting a 4.55 ERA (3.31 FIP) and 1.58 WHIP with 30 strikeouts and 14 walks in 29 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in his second year in the Bronx. Barring a setback with his lat, it's possible that Hamilton can be an option for New York's bullpen again before the end of August.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton (lat) is set to throw a high-intensity bullpen session on Tuesday, August 6, according to MLB.com. Hamilton hit the 15-day IL in June due to a lat strain. He recently began the first steps in his throwing program and will now progress to a much higher-intensity exercise. Prior to the injury, the right-hander held a 4.55 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and a 14:30 BB:K ratio through 29 innings of work. He did very well in limiting hard contact with a 3.4% barrel rate and generated whiffs at an elite 35.1% mark. The 29-year-old is still several steps away from returning to the mound as he has yet to face live hitters. When he does return, fantasy managers should expect Hamilton to produce a high amount of holds as he was typically deployed as a set-up man to Clay Holmes.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton (illness) is expected to be activated from the seven-day injured list before Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Hamilton has been sidelined since May 19 with an illness, and his symptoms lingered through the week, which resulted in him being placed on the injured list. The 28-year-old has performed well in an eighth-inning setup role, posting a 3.18 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and tallying 19 punchouts across 22 innings. The right-hander is worth adding in leagues that score holds, as he should return to his typical eighth-inning role when activated on Tuesday.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton (groin) could be activated from the 15-day injured list during the series against the Pittsburgh Pirates that begins this Friday, while reliever Keynan Middleton (shoulder) is a little behind Hamilton and may not return until next week during the homestand against the Toronto Blue Jays. Hamilton is trying to return from a right-groin strain and may not even need a minor-league rehab appearance before rejoining New York's bullpen. The 28-year-old has a nice 2.24 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, two saves and 64 K's in 52 1/3 innings this year over 35 games (three starts). Middleton is eligible to return from the IL on Sept. 19. The 30-year-old has a 3.08 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, two saves and 64 K's in 49 2/3 relief innings with the Yankees and Chicago White Sox in 2023.

New York Yankees right-hander Ian Hamilton (groin) is expected to rejoin the club this week in Oakland, according to MLB.com. The 28-year-old hasn't seen big league action since May 16 after suffering a right groin strain. Hamilton was enjoying a solid season before getting hurt, posting a 1.23 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 34.1% strikeout rate with one save and one hold over 22 innings. If he continues where he left off, the former 11th-rounder should get right back into a high-leverage role, with a chance for a few save opportunities.

New York Yankees reliever Ian Hamilton (groin) is expected to throw live batting practice on Thursday, according to MLB.com. If that goes well, he'll be cleared for a rehab assignment and could return before the end of June. Hamilton's been out of action since suffering a right groin strain on May 16. Before going on the shelf, the 27-year-old was enjoying a successful 2023 campaign, pitching to a 1.23 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 34.1% strikeout rate with one hold and one save over 22 innings. Hamilton doesn't offer much in standard leagues, but when he's back from the injured list, fantasy managers in save-plus-hold leagues may want him on their roster.

New York Yankees right-hander Ian Hamilton (groin) is scheduled to toss a bullpen either on Saturday or Sunday, according to MLB.com. His first bullpen came on May 30, and after his next session, the club could clear him for a rehab assignment. Hamilton sustained a right groin strain on May 16 and was ultimately placed on the 15-day injured list the day after. Over 22 innings, the 27-year-old owns a 1.23 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 34.1% strikeout rate with one save and one hold. Fantasy managers can expect to see Hamilton back in mid-June, but his save opportunities will likely be limited, so most of his value will come in hold leagues.

New York Yankees right-hander Ian Hamilton (groin) is heading to the 15-day injured list on Wednesday after suffering a right-groin injury in Tuesday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, the Yankees are bringing up pitcher Nick Ramirez from the minors. The 27-year-old Hamilton will now miss at least the next two weeks of action. He's been very impressive in 16 appearances out of the bullpen so far in 2023, allowing three runs on 15 hits while walking nine and striking out 30 in 22 innings pitched for the Yanks. Hamilton also picked up his first career save on May 6 on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The New York Yankees took reliever Ian Hamilton out of Tuesday's game after 0.2 innings due to right groin tightness, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports. Before his exit, the 27-year-old allowed one hit and two walks but struck out two and wasn't charged with any runs. The club will re-evaluate Hamilton on Wednesday, so fantasy managers should check back in. If he does go on the shelf, it was bad timing, as the former 11th-round pick was coming into his own and is running a 1.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 30 punchouts across 22 innings, and has been a late-inning option lately, recording one hold and one save since May 6.