Ian Hamilton to open Wednesday’s game against White Sox; struggling Luis Severino expected to pitch – The Denver Post

Yankees reliever Ian Hamilton is set to open Wednesday night’s series finale against the Chicago White Sox, starting in place of the struggling Luis Severino, the team said in its pre-game notes.

The Yankees said Severino is expected to pitch in relief after Hamilton, who hasn’t thrown more than three innings in an outing this season.

Severino allowed nine runs, including seven in the first inning, against the Baltimore Orioles on July 30. He followed that blowout by surrendering five runs, including three in the opening frame, to the Houston Astros last Friday.

Manager Aaron Boone didn’t rule out moving Severino to the bullpen after his latest rough start, saying, “Everything’s on the table.” Following Tuesday’s game, Boone said the team would discuss its pitching plans for Wednesday, when Severino was lined up to start on regular rest.

Severino, a two-time All-Star and impending free agent, entered Wednesday with a 7.74 ERA. He said Friday he viewed himself as a starting pitcher but was open to “whatever they need me to do.”

“I’m not going to lie, every time I give up a homer or a run in the first inning, it’s like, ‘Jesus Christ, what am I doing?’ And I start looking for different stuff,” Severino said at the time. “Is this mechanics? Is this tipping [pitches]?”

It’s been a difficult few days for the Yankees rotation. Carlos Rodon, who has a 7.33 ERA, returned to the injured list with a left hamstring strain Monday after missing the season’s first three months with forearm and back issues. Last week, the Yankees likely lost Domingo German for the year as he attends inpatient treatment for alcohol abuse.

Wednesday marks the second career start for Hamilton, who also opened the Yankees’ July 1 win against the St. Louis Cardinals. He allowed one run and three hits in an inning of work that day.

The 28-year-old Hamilton, who is in his first season with the Yankees, entered Wednesday’s game with a 1.67 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 37.2 innings this season.

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