Ian Hamilton and his fancy 'slambio' pitch join Yankees' bullpen
Yankees manager Aaron Boone makes a pitching change against the Giants at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The “slambio” has come to the Bronx.
The Yankees signed righthanded reliever Ian Hamilton to a major-league contract on Monday and optioned Jhony Brito to Triple-A Scranton a day after the rookie’s strong debut.
Hamilton has a nasty slider-changeup that the Yankees have nicknamed “the slambio” for slider-cambio (the Spanish word for change is “cambio”). He looked sharp Monday night as he allowed no runs and three hits with two strikeouts in 1 2⁄3 innings in relief of Nestor Cortes.
Hamilton, 27, appeared in eight games during spring training and did not allow an earned run in nine innings He had six strikeouts and a 0.89 WHIP.
“He really got our attention,” Aaron Boone said. “He’s got that change-slider . . . It’s a good pitch and that, with the fastball velocity and command he was showing all spring, put him in a position to earn this opportunity.”
Thanks to days off, the Yankees will be able to avoid calling up a fifth starter until April 12. Brito likely will not be eligible; MLB rules dictate that once a pitcher is optioned, he has to stay in the minors for 15 days unless a major-league player goes on the injured list.
Franchy time
Franchy Cordero went 1-for-5 with a two-run double and a run in his first start of the season Monday. He played rightfield and hit sixth after a phenomenal spring training in which he slashed .413/.426/.674 with the Orioles. Cordero, who signed a major-league split contract with the Yankees on March 29 after being released by Baltimore, has played all three outfield positions, but Boone said he prefers him at the corners.
Extra bases
Harrison Bader (oblique) took about 25 dry swings Monday and “continues to do really well,” Boone said. “The last half-dozen or so, he was letting it rip and felt great.” The Yankees still don’t have a timetable for when he’ll be able to play in rehab games.
Laura Albanese is a reporter, feature writer and columnist covering local professional sports teams; she began at Newsday in 2007 as an intern.
