Yankees Acquire Dom Hamel; Place Luciano, Sandridge on Assignment List
The New York Yankees have recently made significant roster changes by claiming right-hander Dom Hamel off waivers from the Texas Rangers. In this move, they also designated left-hander Jayvien Sandridge and outfielder Marco Luciano for assignment. These adjustments were necessary to make room for Hamel and newly signed outfielder Cody Bellinger, whose five-year contract was announced recently.
Dom Hamel: Career Overview
Dom Hamel, who will turn 27 in March, had a brief stint in the major leagues. He made his debut with the New York Mets on September 17, where he pitched a scoreless inning. Following his debut, Hamel was placed on waivers, leading to claims by both the Orioles and the Rangers. Most recently, he was designated for assignment by Texas as they signed fellow pitcher Jakob Junis.
Minor League Performance
Before joining the Yankees, Hamel developed as a starter in the Mets’ minor league system. However, issues with control shifted him to the bullpen in 2025. Last season, he appeared in 31 Triple-A games, logging 67.2 innings with a 5.32 earned run average. Despite this, he struck out 25.2% of batters faced and demonstrated better control, achieving a 7.4% walk rate. His pitching arsenal includes a four-seamer, sinker, cutter, slider, and changeup, with both the four-seamer and sinker averaging in the low 90s. With a couple of options remaining, he could serve as depth in the minors or be put on waivers again in the future.
Marco Luciano’s Uncertain Future
Marco Luciano, once a top prospect, has seen his status decline over the offseason. The 24-year-old outfielder has had a tumultuous year, leading to his current designation for assignment. He finished the 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants but has since moved through waivers to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, and now the Yankees.
Performance Statistics
- Major League Career Batting Line: .217/.286/.304
- Strikeout Rate: 35.7%
- Triple-A Batting Line: .227/.351/.401
- Strikeout Rate in Triple-A: 29.6%
Luciano has transitioned from middle infield to left field, increasing offensive expectations. Despite struggling with his numbers, he remains a player of interest due to his potential and is eligible to be retained for up to six seasons given his service time.
Jayvien Sandridge’s Brief Major League Experience
Jayvien Sandridge, approaching his 27th birthday, made his major league debut with the Yankees last season, albeit with limited success. His sole appearance came against the Mets, where he allowed a home run and walked two batters before being removed from the game. His minor league statistics reflect a tendency for strikeouts but also highlight issues with control.
Minor League Statistics
- Innings Pitched: 36.2
- Earned Run Average: 4.66
- Strikeout Rate: 32.7%
- Walk Rate: 11.4%
Sandridge will be in DFA limbo for a week as teams evaluate the possibility of acquiring him. His fastball, which averages around 95 mph, along with his splitter and slider, may appeal to teams in need of relief pitching depth.
As the Yankees reshape their roster, all eyes will be on Hamel, Luciano, and Sandridge as they navigate their futures in baseball.
