The Yankees announced that they have claimed right-hander Dom Hamel off waivers from the Rangers. They also designated left-hander Jayvien Sandridge and outfielder Marco Luciano for assignment. The two DFAs open roster spots for Hamel and for Cody Bellinger, whose five-year deal was made official yesterday. Texas designated Hamel for assignment a week ago when they signed Jakob Junis.
Hamel, 27 in March, just made his major league debut not too long ago. He tossed a scoreless inning for the Mets on September 17th, which is still his only big league appearance. Shortly thereafter, the Mets put him on waivers, with the Orioles and Rangers claiming him in quick succession. Texas held him for a few months but put him back on the wire this week.
The righty came up through the Mets’ system as a starting pitcher but a lack of control pushed him to the bullpen in 2025. He logged 67 2/3 innings over 31 Triple-A appearances last year. 11 of those were officially starts but they were mostly in opener style. His 5.32 earned run average wasn’t great but he did strike out 25.2% of batters faced and showed improved control with a 7.4% walk rate. His four-seamer and sinker both averaged in the low 90s while he also mixed in a cutter, slider and changeup.
Hamel still has a couple of options, so the Yankees could keep him as depth in the minors. They could also try putting him back on waivers in the future. He doesn’t have a previous career outright and has less than three years of service time, which means he would not have the right to reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency.
Speaking of players getting put back on waivers, that’s been the story of Luciano’s offseason. Once a top prospect, his stock has dropped as he has exhausted his option years. That has pushed him to a fringe roster position and it seems that there are several clubs hoping to be the one to pass him through waivers, at which point he could be kept in the minors as non-roster depth. He finished the 2025 season with the Giants but has subsequently gone to the Pirates, Orioles and Yankees via the waiver wire.
He has a rough career batting line of .217/.286/.304 in his big league career while striking out in 35.7% of his plate appearances. His Triple-A line of .227/.351/.401 is better but came in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League and still saw him strike out 29.6% of the time. He was moved from the middle infield to left field last year, which only put more pressure on him to produce offensively.
The numbers have not been great but Luciano is only 24 years old and was a top 100 prospect not too long ago. His service time is still under a year, meaning he can theoretically be retained for six full seasons by some club. It’s understandable that teams would hope to have that player on hand in case he does finally break out. Now that he’s in DFA limbo once more, he will be on the move again or outrighted in the next week.
Sandridge, 27 next month, got a major league roster spot for the first time with the Yankees last year. He made just one appearance, which came against the Mets on July 5th. He was given a rude awakening, as he walked Juan Soto and then allowed a home run to Pete Alonso. He settled down somewhat by striking out Brandon Nimmo and Mark Vientos, but then walked Luis Torrens and hit Jeff McNeil with a pitch before being removed.
That one appearance has some commonalities with his minor league track record, which has featured lots of strikeouts but a lack of control. He tossed 36 2/3 innings on the farm for the Yankees last year with a 4.66 ERA. He struck out 32.7% of batters faced but issued 19 walks, an 11.4% pace. He also hit three more batters and tossed six wild pitches. He averaged around 95 miles per hour with his four-seamer and sinker while also throwing a splitter and slider.
He will now be in DFA limbo for a week at most. The waiver process takes 48 hours, so the Yankees could take five days to field trade interest, but they could also put him on the wire sooner. Since he has a couple of options, he could have appeal if there’s a club that is both intrigued by the arsenal and looking for some extra relief depth.
Photo courtesy of Sam Navarro, Imagn Images
Is that an ex Met i see there going to the Yanks? Sound the alarms, here we go.
another Mets-centric comment, like there’s any significance that some random marginalia once was on the Mets
Man, Yankees always picking up Mets discards
Where’s that commenter who used to be counted on for saying ‘dumpster diving’ Theo’ re cubs? He should be all over this situation.
Hahaha Mets reject
Off season is officially over!!!
The Luciano DFA Carousel continues to spin
There was a talented outfielder in the 50’s named Harry “Suitcase” Simpson. I think Marco has rightfully claimed that name now, though not as talented as Simpson.
And the wheel goes round and round, round and round.
Marco is going to end up in Japan or Mexico somehow, at this rate
Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea at this point.
I think it would be funny if in the end he elects free agency and signs a minor league deal with the giants
Sorry but Sandridge and Luciano looked far more interesting than this guy with high walk rate.
Hamel is better than Sandridge, I promise. The Yankees made a slight improvement in their pen depth
Yeah, oh well. I liked both of those guys. And you were probably right on Vivas earlier. He’s still young enough to turn into something.
Luciano should be a Cardinal, Rockie or White Sox player.
The Marlins and Twins could also make room.
This DFA merry-go-round should stop. A rebuilding team needs to take a chance on this kid and give him half a season in MLB to see what he can do.
This kid is right. He’s 24, born the day before 9/11.
Cashman with a thing for them ex Mets
What is a Dom Hamel?
@BrianAshman… LOL Exactly
tons of marco luciano news this offseason
The Yankees musical chairs continues. Cashman add one, drop one, and so on and on. I still think teams need to goto a 45 man roster or something.
Unlucky Luciano.
He’s ruining Don Giovanni!