CLEVELAND (AP) — Tanner Bibee is getting a second crack at the Yankees in the AL Championship Series. His first one didn't go so well.
The right-hander will start for the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 on Saturday after he was pulled from Game 2 in the second inning by manager Stephen Vogt.
Vogt said bringing back Bibee on short rest was an easy choice in what could be an elimination game based on his solid season.
“He’s been our best pitcher all year,” Vogt said before Game 3 on Friday. “I can’t wait to get him back out there, and he feels good. He feels ready. He wants to pitch again, so we’re excited to have Tanner back out there.”
Bibee lasted just 1 1/3 innings against the Yankees, who tagged him for five hits in his short stint in the Bronx. Vogt replaced him with hard-throwing reliever Cade Smith in the second inning to face Aaron Judge.
“It’s not like I went out there and threw 100 pitches and about to go out there and do it again,” said Bibee, who went 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA in 31 starts. “I threw 39 pitches. I feel good. I’m ready to go. Vogter told me right after the game on Tuesday that it was a possibility that I could be starting. So I prepared like I was going to.”
Bibee will match up against New York's Carlos Rodón, who got the win in Game 1 when he held the Guardians to one run three hits in six innings.
While Bibee was upset he didn't get a chance to pitch longer in Game 2, he understood Vogt's reasoning.
“He's given me some leash earlier on in the year, and it just comes down to trying to win the game, but I get that,” Bibee said. "It’s just some stuff I’m not going to like. But it’s not my job to like it. It’s my job to get outs.”
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Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) walks toward the dugout after being pulled during the second inning in Game 2 of the baseball AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (28) waits to be pulled from the game during the second inning in Game 2 of the baseball AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Godofredo Vásquez)
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee leaves the game during the second inning in Game 2 of the baseball AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
CLEVELAND (AP) — The New York Yankees won't have reliever Ian Hamilton for the rest of the AL Championship Series against Cleveland — or the World Series if they advance — after he injured his left calf in Game 3 on Thursday night.
The AL East champions replaced Hamilton with Mark Leiter Jr. The move was made just hours before Game 4 on Friday.
Manager Aaron Boone said Hamilton suffered a “low-grade” calf strain while the right-hander covered first base in the sixth inning. The Yankees wound up blowing a 5-3 lead in the ninth and lost 7-5 to the Guardians, who got a game-tying homer from rookie Jhonkensy Noel in the ninth and David Fry's walk-off homer in the 10th.
New York leads the series 2-1.
Hamilton went 0-1 with a 3.82 ERA in 35 games for the Yankees this season. He missed nearly three months with a strained side muscle. He returned in mid-September and pitched in the ALDS against Kansas City.
In the sixth, Guardians rookie Daniel Schneemann hit a grounder to first baseman Jon Berti, who bobbled the ball. Hamilton hustled over to the base, and appeared to step awkwardly. He threw a wild warmup pitch before Boone replaced him.
Major League Baseball had to approve the Yankees' request to substitute for Hamilton, whose medical information was reviewed by an independent doctor. By rule, Hamilton will not be eligible to play in the World Series should New York advance.
Leiter went 2-1 with a 4.98 ERA in 21 games with the Yankees, who acquired him from the Cubs in July. The 33-year-old was 2-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 39 games for Chicago.
Boone admitted he was tempted to add left-hander Nestor Cortes, but the left-hander is dealing with an elbow strain and isn't quite ready.
“I felt like it would be unfair to him to skip some steps to get him back,” Boone said, adding Cortes is in position to be on the World Series roster if the Yankees advance.
Leiter has struggled during his time with the Yankees, but Boone is hoping he can perform if called upon.
“We know he's capable,” Boone said. “He's had some moments with us, but it's been up and down.”
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New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton leaves during the sixth inning in Game 3 of the baseball AL Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Cleveland.(AP Photo/Godofredo Vásquez )
New York Yankees relief pitcher Ian Hamilton, left, leaves the game during the sixth inning in Game 3 of the baseball AL Championship Series against the Cleveland GuardiansvThursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Cleveland.(AP Photo/Godofredo Vásquez )
