The Yankees made a roster move on Tuesday, designating right-hander Dom Hamel for assignment. It’s the corresponding move to their recent waiver claim of outfielder Yanquiel Fernández - a transaction that was already in the books. And for Hamel, it’s yet another stop on what’s become an increasingly familiar ride on the DFA carousel.
Hamel, who turns 27 in March, got his first taste of the big leagues with the Mets late last season, tossing a scoreless inning on September 17. Since then, he’s been bouncing around the league.
After that debut, the Orioles scooped him up on waivers, followed quickly by the Rangers before the calendar even flipped to October. Texas held onto him for a few months but designated him for assignment in January.
The Yankees claimed him shortly after, but just over a week later, he's back in DFA limbo.
So why the constant movement? It comes down to potential and roster flexibility. Hamel doesn’t have much of a major league track record, but teams are clearly intrigued by what he’s shown in the minors - enough to keep taking a flyer on him, even if it means risking losing him again.
Originally developed as a starter in the Mets’ system, Hamel was shifted to a bullpen role in 2025, where he logged 67 2/3 innings across 31 appearances at Triple-A. Eleven of those were technically starts, but he was mostly used as an opener - a role that’s become increasingly common for pitchers who can give you a strong two or three innings to start a game without going deep.
His arsenal includes a low-90s four-seamer and sinker, along with a cutter, slider, and changeup. The velocity won’t blow anyone away, but he’s got a full repertoire and has shown flashes of effectiveness.
His 5.32 ERA from last season doesn’t jump off the page, but a deeper look shows a more encouraging profile: a walk rate of just 7.4% and a strikeout rate of 25.2%. That kind of swing-and-miss stuff, paired with improved control, is enough to keep teams interested - especially when you’re talking about a pitcher who still has options and doesn’t take up a permanent roster spot.
That said, the constant DFAs suggest teams are hoping to sneak him through waivers and keep him in the system as non-roster depth. Because Hamel hasn’t been outrighted before and has less than three years of MLB service time, he doesn’t have the right to refuse a minor league assignment if he clears waivers. That makes him a valuable stash candidate for clubs looking to add pitching depth without committing a 40-man spot.
The Yankees have up to five days to put Hamel on waivers, though they’ll likely move quickly. Most teams are still maxed out on their 40-man rosters, but with the 60-day injured list set to open next week, some clubs will gain a bit of roster breathing room - which could make Hamel an appealing claim for a team looking to get ahead of the spring training shuffle.
For now, Hamel waits - again - to see where the next stop might be.